Dear Heloise: Why do you only list your fax number using the letter format (210-HELOISE) and not the numbers? It isn't handy to try to figure out what the numbers are with the receiver in your hand. -- A Reader, via e-mail

Dear A Reader: Good question. Mainly because it's easier to remember "Heloise" than to remember 435-6473. Some newspapers may edit out the number to save space. It is (210) 435-6473. Most telephones and cell phones have the letters printed on the keypad to help you figure out and translate letters to numbers. -- Heloise

Dear Heloise: I am very fortunate to have two forms of health insurance, and even more so to be blessed with good health.

Having two health-insurance plans means I present two cards whenever I visit the doctor. Then I have to explain which card is primary and which is secondary.

I tried writing "primary" and "secondary" with indelible marker, but the words slid right off. So, I used a label printer that made stickers and stuck them right on the cards. The doctor's receptionist told me it was a good idea. -- Katharine H., New Providence, N.J.

Dear Heloise: When you call a large business, bank or cable company and get stuck in the maze of automated prompts, press zero a couple of times.

You will be sent to a customer-service representative. -- Anne, Los Angeles

Dear Anne: This is a good hint to try. This won't work on some programs, but it's worth a shot. Also, sometimes not punching a number will get a live person. -- Heloise

Dear Heloise: I recently attended a home-improvement fair in my hometown. There were many companies represented, and there were also many raffles and giveaways offered. By the time I left the show, my hand was achy and tired from all the repetitive writing of my name and address.

The next time I attended one of these shows, I came armed with a sheet of my return-address labels, to which I had added my phone number. All I had to do, as I moved from booth to booth, was peel off a label and place it on the card to enter many contests. No more achy fingers -- and, as a plus during flu season, I never touched the pens. I have shared this hint with many friends, and they agree that it is a great one. Love your column! -- Mary Sokolowski, Fort Wayne, Ind.

Dear Readers: Have you ever gotten a stain on your jacket or blouse and couldn't get to it right away? Keep a large flower pin in your purse for coverage. You even could use your name badge when at the office, just to keep from drawing attention to it. As soon as you get home, treat the stain and launder to remove. -- Heloise

Send a great hint to: Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000. Fax: (210) 435-6473. E-mail: Heloise@heloise.com.