Shelf Life Of Tea, Computer Monitor Disposal, Building A Good Credit Rating: 11/06/02

Q: WHAT IS THE SHELF LIFE FOR TEA.?

A: WE WENT TO THE VIRGINIA COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE FOR YOUR ANSWER. IT SAYS THE SHELF-LIFE OF TEA IS 18-MONTHS FOR TEA BAGS, 24 MONTHS FOR LOOSE TEA, AND 24 MONTHS FOR INSTANT TEA. IT RECOMMENDS YOU KEEP TEA IN AN AIRTIGHT CONTAINER AND IN A COOL AND DRY CLIMATE. AND IT SAYS OLD TEA IS NOT A FOOD SAFETY HAZARD BUT WILL LOSE ITS POTENCY AND QUALITY.

Q: WHAT IS THE PROPER WAY TO DISPOSE OF A BROKEN COMPUTER MONITOR?

A: WE WENT TO THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY FOR YOUR ANSWER. IT SAYS THERE ARE 3 WAYS. FIRST, YOU CAN TRY TO DONATE TO A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE ORGANIZATION. YOU CAN ALSO TRY TO SELL YOUR COMPUTER MONITOR TO A SCRAP DEALER OR RECYCLER. OR YOU CAN DISPOSE OF IT THROUGH YOUR LOCAL HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION PROGRAM. BY THE WAY, IF YOU TYPE COMPUTER RECYCLING INTO YOUR FAVORITE SEARCH ENGINE, YOU'LL FIND LOTS OF IDEAS ON HOW TO DISPOSE OF OLD EQUIPMENT.

Q: I AM 22 AND WANT TO KNOW WHAT'S THE BEST WAY FOR PEOPLE STARTING OUT TO BUILD A GOOD CREDIT RATING?

A: WE WENT TO BANKRATE.COM FOR YOUR ANSWER. IT HAS THREE IDEAS FOR YOU. FIRST, APPLY FOR DEPARTMENT STORE CREDIT WITH A COMPANY THAT WILL SEND YOUR ACCOUNT INFORMATION TO A CREDIT BUREAU, FIND A CO-SIGNER AND APPLY FOR A SMALL LOAN, BUT MAKE SURE YOU PAY IT BACK PROMPTLY. APPLY FOR A SECURED CREDIT CARD. THAT'S WHERE YOU DEPOSIT MONEY IN A BANK ACCOUNT TO COVER YOUR DEBT. PAY THEN PAY YOUR CARD OFF MONTHLY. BUILDING A GOOD CREDIT RATING IS IMPORTANT, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU WANT TO MAKE LARGE PURCHASES SUCH AS A HOUSE OR CAR.