Dear Heloise: I use my lined sticky notes for my grocery lists. I just stick it on the buggy handle, and I don’t lose my list or my buggy! — Elizabeth Henry, via email
CHARITY NAVIGATOR
Dear Heloise: Here’s a hint for all who want to consider making donations. There is a website called Charity Navigator (CharityNavigator.org) where you can view ratings and reviews of charities and give confidently. Charity Navigator verifies how funds are spent and measures real impact. I have used this website to decide which organizations I will donate to (where most of my money supports the cause and not the personnel). — Susan Puretz, via email
SHORT PEOPLE PROBLEMS
Dear Heloise: Regarding short people who have a problem reaching items in the grocery store (I’m one of them), I find taller people who are always happy to help. After they have retrieved the item for me, I always say, “If you need anything from the floor, let me know.” Leaves ’em laughing every time! Thanks for your column. — Evelyn Granata, in Lomita, California
GOLF CLUB LABELS
Dear Heloise: While golfing, every once in a while, one of the guys will leave a club on or next to the green, or we will find one from a previous foursome. Please remind golfers to put their address labels on the shafts of the clubs. This way, it’s easy to locate the owner of the club when it’s found. — Paul Dischert, in St. Louis
WRAPPING PAPER HINT
Dear Heloise: My sister-in-law was furious over people using wrapping paper to wrap a gift. I reminded her that paper is a renewable resource and can be recycled. Today’s gift wrap can be tomorrow’s paper towel.
Two years ago, I bought four thick rolls of plain wrapping paper — one in red, one in white, one in pink, and one in pale blue. These four colors cover all occasions, and if I receive a gift in a decorative bag, I try to keep it for when I need a gift bag. I have a stack of bags with my wrapping supplies. — Mary-Margaret T., in Dutch Fork, South Carolina
DONATING CLOTHING
Dear Heloise: I just thought about another place to donate clothing. I went through this when my husband died this past summer. He was a professional man and dressed appropriately every day. It was hard to give away his clothing to just anyone. But I found out that many universities have “boutiques” on campus for graduating seniors to check out in preparation for their future job interviews. How fabulous is this!
I donated his professional clothing to his alma mater, Louisiana State University. How proud he would be to know that his clothing was being worn by another graduate! I know that the Univeristy of Mississippi has a “boutique” as well. — Lindsey R., via email
TRAVELING WITH LAUNDRY
Dear Heloise: I wash things in a bathroom sink while I travel on long trips, but I can’t seem to get them to dry off by the next day. What should I do to get my garments to dry properly? — Daisy, in Smyrna, Delaware
Daisy, after washing and rinsing your garments, roll them in a towel to help wring out the excess water, then hang them up to dry. If they are still damp in the morning, use a hair dryer to finish the job. — Heloise
Send a money-saving or time-saving hint to [email protected]. I can’t answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.
