Dear Readers: If you COLLECT MAGAZINES for great recipes or articles, I have a terrific hint to help you find the item you're looking for in a snap.

How often do you see a recipe or an article in a magazine that you want to save and refer back to, only to find you've forgotten where you saw it and on what page? Here's a solution that might work for you. Whenever you get a new magazine, stick a plain, white address label on the left-hand front or back cover, and place it in the same place every time. Then, as you see something of interest in the magazine, jot down the page number and a short description on the label. Store all of your "keeper" magazines together so that when you want to find that special recipe or interesting article, you need only glance at your label notes to find it, instead of having to flip through the magazines page by page.

-- Heloise

P.S.: A quick solution is to tear out the articles (after everyone in the family has read the magazine) and keep them in a file. I usually attach the cover of the magazine, also.

FAST FACTS

Dear Heloise: The plastic-foam egg cartons seem too good to just toss. Here are some things we use them for around our house. (Of course, we wash them well when empty.):

* They are handy for small jewelry. My daughter uses one to sort her earrings by pair.

* Use in the craft room as a bead keeper -- it separates colors so that making jewelry is easier.

* My husband uses one in his shed for nuts, bolts, screws, etc.

* Keep in a sewing room for buttons.

* A carton is a perfect carrier for a dozen deviled eggs. Cover the bottom of the tray with plastic wrap and then set the eggs on that.

-- Virginia Harper from Colorado

SELF-STICKING FLOOR TILES

Dear Heloise: Being a senior in age, I dreaded the job of changing shelf paper. I was in a home-improvement store and had an epiphany! Self-stick floor tiles were on sale, and I bought a box. They were easy to cut to size with scissors. I won't have to change them and can wipe up spills easily. I now have done my pantry shelves also.

-- Shirley in Arizona

WASHING BY HAND

Dear Heloise: Here is a hint I learned from my sister-in-law, Marti. When you hand-wash china and crystal, have the dishwasher empty, and use the racks to let the dishes and silver air-dry. It's quick and easy, and it saves counter space. I dry the silver by hand to prevent water spots. I read your daily hints in The Rapid City Journal.

-- Maureen, Rapid City, S.D.

SOUND OFF

Dear Heloise: One of our pet peeves is the increase in volume when television commercials are shown. We've noticed commercials on all channels becoming louder and louder compared with the program. It's annoying to have to adjust the volume. -- H.F.H. in New Jersey