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Readers' Tips

Finding Legitimate Charities

Information on charities including legitimacy can be found at the National Charities Information Bureau (800) 501-6242 and www.give.org
Mary M in Lexington, KY

BBB Can Help

The Better Business Bureau in my city publishes an annual directory of 501(c)3 charities. Included in the directory is not only the basic info. about who the charity serves, but also the percentage of contributions that are actually used for the recipients (rather than to operating costs). The is a lot of other helpful info. about each charity in the directory too. This reader may want to call her own city's Better Business Bureau or check out their website at www.bbb.org/
Brenda T.

Editor's note: you'll find more comments and resources at http://www.stretcher.com/stories/981228a.htm.

Cheaper High School Rings

Your local jewelry stores carry the class rings, and are usually cheaper than the company that comes to the school. Have your son check your local jeweler.
Sandy

Try Wal-Mart for Ring

Wal-Mart has class rings starting at $80, not exactly a steal, but much less than the companies that come to the schools to sell their wares.
Liz B.

Editor's note: more ring suggestions at http://www.stretcher.com/stories/981228b.htm

Idea for After Christmas Sales

I have found that the best way to find some inexpensive all-occasion gift wrap is to shop after Christmas sales. You can almost always find some inexpensive "Christmas" wrapping paper that could also be used for all occasion gift wrap. For instance, one year I found some red and white striped paper, which would work great for a birthday or baby gift. Plain gold or silver wrapping paper makes great wedding gift wrap. Hit the sales and see what you find.
Marcia

Crawlspace Water Comment

Living in Holland I read your recent tip relating to water in crawlspaces. I live in a suburb of the Hague and the ground water level is high. The water level is less than 1m below the surface in my back yard. Many neighbours have problems with water in crawlspaces or in their caves. My house being of a different construction I do not have this problem myself but I learned from friends. Your tip as such is good but it can be improved and possibly the plumber did but it has not been stated. Just do some digging to obtain a lower part in you crawlspace and place the pump or the feed of the pump in it. The pump should preferably be of the type working in the water below the water level.
Benno

Student Loan Payback Assistance

I have seen questions regarding the repayment of student loans in the Dollar Stretcher previously. I have a friend that works in Loan Repayment Dept. My Husband and I both have students loans that are high and hard to keep up on the payments because there are 6 in our family. There is a program called the William Forb Program that is helping get the interest rates down on current loans for the next year and payments can be based on your income, etc. You can only apply until the end of January 1999. You can do so by going to: www.ed.gov/directloan/ And apply directly online or call (1-800-557-7392) and leave name and address for application to be sent to you. Definitely easier online. You'll need what type of loan you have, the lender's name address and phone number, your SS#, your driver's license #, and how much your payoff is. I am consolidating my husband's and mine. You will need all of your spouse's info also to do this. You need to consider the fact that , if your spouse becomes disabled or in case of divorce, what might happen to you or your spouse getting stuck with the complete debt. If anyone is interested, you need to HURRY. There is only about 35 days left to apply. Some people could save a ton on interest.
Dawn T.

'Pellet' Stove Clean-Up

For anyone that has a "pellet" or air tight wood stove with a glass door, you know how quickly the buildup takes place on the door. Rather than spend money on the glass cleaners sold in fireplace and other stores, which can be messy as well as expensive, use the following tip. The door can be cleaned by using a damp paper towel or sponge which you dip in the ash in the stove (provides the abrasive needed) another damp towel to wipe it down and finally a dry towel to finish it up.
Rick S

If You're Not Sure About a Pet

I also am an animal lover and being on staff at the Dutchess County SPCA allows me to be pro active. Once of the things that we do is foster animals out . These include special need dogs and cats ( including newborns whom we do not want to expose to any airborne virus, older animals who have to be treated for a condition like heartworm in a non-stress environment) Many times this is a great way to see how a younger member of the family really responds to caring for an animal. If the family decides to ultimately adopt a special needs animal or one of a litter, all adoption fees are waived. There is a screening process of course for foster parents as there is for those requesting to adopt , but the fostering time is a real testing and training time for a child.
Linda

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"The Dollar Stretcher, Inc." does not assume responsibility for advice given. All advice should be weighed against your own abilities and circumstances and applied accordingly. It is up to the reader to determine if advice is safe and suitable for their own situation.