Zillions Magazine Helps Children Spend Their Money More Wisely

Do you yammer at the kids about how to spend their money wisely? Suggest comparison shopping before they buy?

Maybe your youngsters are ready for Zillions, a publication of the Consumers Union, which also publishes Consumer Reports.

In 1980, when CU began publishing this magazine, it was called Penny Power.

Realizing that pennies don't go as far as they used to and that youngsters have more money to spend, CU has renamed the publication Zillions - Consumer Reports for Kids.

It's geared to children 8 through 14 years old and has eye-catching graphics and cartoons.

Zillions uses 100 youngsters across the nation to test products. Subscribers regularly review books, movies, television shows, music and video games.

Among the publication's goals is to educate youngsters about sales and advertising techniques and give them tips on how to withstand the pressures of commercials.

It's just as important in your back-to-school shopping as the book bag, lunch box and raincoat, in our opinion. A good holiday gift, too.

Subscription rates are 6 issues (one year) for $13.95; 12 issues (two years) $23.95 or 18 issues (three years) $29.95.

Teaching guides are available and subscription rates for schools are lower, with a minimum of 10 subscriptions to one address.

To order or receive more information about school subscriptions, write Zillions, P.O. Box 3760, Jefferson City, MO 65102.

For individual subscriptions, write Zillions, P.O. Box 54861, Boulder, CO 80322-4861.

HELP WITH HOUSING

D.C., Federal Way: Habitat for Humanity/Spokane and Habitat for Humanity in Whatcom County are offshoots of the housing program in which former President Jimmy Carter is active.

The organization assists people who need adequate housing. They work with families who have inadequate housing and who would have difficulty obtaining mortgages, but who show potential for building and maintaining their own homes.

The Spokane and Whatcom County groups are registered as charitable organizations with the secretary of state's office. The Spokane group reports that 88.15 percent of its revenue is applied to housing for the needy. The Whatcom County group, based in Lynden, spends 86.9 percent on housing.

We have copies of these reports if other readers are interested.

IT WILL BE CHECKED

L.M., Seattle: It is a felony to vandalize a grave, or to damage, destroy or remove markers, says Paul Elvig, program administrator for the funeral director and cemetery boards service unit of the state Department of Licensing.

Elvig says it is not uncommon to find used markers in curio stores or rock gardens. Sometimes these markers have been discarded or replaced because the name and date were incorrect, or they were replaced by newer markers.

An investigator will try to determine what's happened in the case of the marker you observed in a store window.

Don't be bashful about reporting such matters to the police. Usually if a marker has been stolen from a cemetery, it will be reported to local authorities.

If you have further questions, write the Funeral Director and Cemetery Boards Service Unit, State Department of Licensing, P.O. Box 9012, Olympia, WA 98504-8001, or call 586-4905.

HAPPY ENDINGS

T.B., Carnation: Organizers of the Goodwill Games did run out of T-shirts and finisher medals for marathon participants. But in four to six weeks yours will arrive. Jim Sheldon, vice president for sports for the 1990 Goodwill Games, says the items have been re-ordered.

J.E., Northwest Seattle: Thanks for letting us know you received the Newborn Baby Doll from Whitney Resources Ltd. of Brooklyn.

L.C., Redmond: We understand you have received a $250 refund from Encore Profit Promotions for the concert you did not attend.

M.J., Des Moines: Hill Brothers of Lynchburg, Va., has refunded your $38.24 for the shoes you ordered that were not available.

R.T.W., Kirkland: Pleased to learn you have received a refund for the Frank Sinatra tickets from White Rose Ltd. of Mercer Island.