THE HOUSE KEYS MAY BE OLD

Dear Heloise: There was quite a bit of discussion about the missing house keys. The easiest way to avoid losing your keys is to not have one in the first place! You can solve this problem by purchasing a deadbolt lock with a combination pad for your home.

If you have a door, all you have to do to unlock your door is enter a four to six digit code and the door will be unlocked. There is still a keyhole for people who think they need to carry a key. But I haven’t carried the house key for 20 years. In fact, I don’t even know where my house key is!

These locks are available at any hardware store. –Chris Kuzan, via email

REMOVING THE LAST PIECE

Dear Heloise: I don’t know if anyone has suggested this in the past on how to remove each piece from plastic bottles. When I can’t get anything more out of the bottle, I pull out a kitchen knife, stick it in the middle, and cut the plastic as I rotate the bottle until it breaks in half. (Leave the door open.)

I then use a small rubber spatula to remove everything inside. It’s surprising how much can be saved, and it’s no more dangerous than slaughtering a whole chicken. –DH, St. in louis

PROBLEMS WITH PILLS

Dear Heloise: I have trouble finding pockets big enough to hold my prescriptions and supplements. I solved this problem by using the plastic cover of newspaper. I list my daily pills, put one day’s worth at the bottom of a plastic bag, tie a tight knot, add another day’s worth, and keep repeating until the bag is empty.

Every morning I cut off the top layer of the pills. These travel much easier than a pill container, don’t weigh as much and don’t take up as much space.

I have been enjoying your column as much as your mother’s for years. I used many of your tips and read your column in the Dayton Daily News. –Karen H., Centerville, Ohio

YARN HANGERS

Dear Heloise: My recycling tip is to take leftover yarn scraps and cover metal coat hangers with it. I wrap small balls of yarn tightly and make a pretty bow at the end. These hangers are perfect for hanging pants, blouses, dresses and other items. Thread-covered hangers prevent clothes from slipping and leaving holes or wrinkles. I’ve been doing this for years.

I read your column in the New Hampshire Union Leader. –Frances Riel, Manchester, New Hampshire

STORAGE OF PLASTIC BAGS

Dear Heloise: We love saving plastic shopping bags to use for a variety of things, but storing them was a problem. We started folding them and putting them into empty paper towel rolls. It works perfectly. Each roll contains four to five bags and they store neatly in a kitchen drawer. Less mess! –Holly G. in Florida

TWO USEFUL TIPS

Dear Heloise: Here are two tips: I use a shower bench and a hand shower head. I first run the warm water over the bench to have a nice heated seat to sit on.

The next tip is that when I’m reading a book, I turn the front of the bookmark towards the next page I’m reading so I know where I left off. — Bachelor’s degree in Connecticut

Send a money-saving or time-saving tip to [email protected]. I cannot respond to your letter personally, but I will use the best tips received in my column.

SEND A GREAT TIP: [email protected]

(c) 2024, King Properties Syndicate Inc.