HELPFUL HINTS

LITTLE ROCK — DEAR READERS: What’s with people who have poor cell phone manners? Here are some hints:

Lower your voice and watch your language.

If your phone must be on in a business meeting or restaurant, put it on “vibrate” or“silent.”

Do not text while in class, at a meeting or driving (which is illegal in most states).

If you are in a meeting or at lunch and must answer the phone, excuse yourself and step away.

DEAR HELOISE: Now that we can print out airline boarding passes, I always print out extras to stick into my luggage, especially the pieces I’m checking. If the luggage gets lost, the boarding pass in one of the outside pockets will let handlers know what the destination was supposed to be. So far, I haven’t lost any luggage, but you never know.

• Adrienne C. in Virginia

DEAR READER: Also, be sure that each piece has a luggage tag (or two) on the outside, and always check the destination tag that the airline puts on at the airport.

DEAR HELOISE: I have a set of canisters for my kitchen that are terra cotta on the outside (like flowerpots). They have grease spots on them (only on the outside). I have tried everything I know to get the grease out. Can you recommend anything else I can try?

• Jenny, via e-mail

DEAR READER: Try using a little dish soap (one that cuts grease), warm water and a hard-bristle scrub brush to get the spots out. Scrub and let sit for 30 minutes or so. Make sure to rinse them well to remove soap residue.

If you can’t get spots out, try the next best thing: disguise them! Try painting on decorations, use those new rub-on transfers or mosaic them.

DEAR HELOISE: When my new phone directory arrives, I take the old one and put it under the front seat of my car. Then I toss the one that’s 2 years old. They don’t change too much in one year’s time. Since the majority of drivers have a cell phone, this ensures that they never have to leave the safety of their car to call for auto service, a tow truck, etc. Also, most phone books now include local maps and other information that may be valuable at some time.

• Annette S., Davie, Fla.

DEAR READER: Just be sure to put it under the passenger seat.

Send a money- or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000; fax to (210) 435-6473; or e-mail

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