DEAR HELOISE: Lisa in Kansas wrote that she backs up her cellphone contacts to a separate (paper) address book. I thought to myself that there has to be an easier way. There is, and it's email.
From my phone, I sent myself four emails (split the alphabet into four groups) and did "attach." They are now available to me from any computer via my email account. Way easier than having to write all this down in a book.
-- Sue in Ohio
DEAR READER: Very smart indeed, Sue. Sometimes, though, there is a comfort level in having important information written on paper. Too many people have lost their cellphones, or had the computer crash. Always have a backup.
DEAR HELOISE: I have two glasses that are stuck together. Is there any way to get them apart without breaking one?
-- Diane, via email
DEAR READER: Here are some Heloise hints to try: Fill a large bowl, or the sink, with warm to hot water. Set the bottom glass in it, then fill the top glass with ice cubes and cold water. Cold contracts, so the top glass should shrink a little. Heat generally expands, so the bottom glass should "loosen" up. Give it a while, then gently pull them apart.
Or drip some lightweight oil (machine or cooking oil) between the glasses. Let it sit for a day or longer. Then gently pull them apart. Hope this helps.
DEAR HELOISE: We just returned from a week-long vacation. Of course, I took too many clothes. When packing to return home, I individually rolled all the dirty items and placed these in one suitcase, along with the shoes we had worn. The rest of the garments were folded and placed in the other suitcase.
When I got home, I did not have to sort clean and dirty garments. It was easy to tell what was headed for the laundry.
-- E.W., via email
DEAR READER: Love it! One of the dreaded chores coming home from a vacation is laundry. Why wash what you don't have to?
I use the dry-cleaning bag from the hotel to hold soiled clothes. Keeps the other items clean. Also, if I have time, I hand-wash lingerie at the hotel so it's clean for the next trip.
DEAR HELOISE: I love getting pedicures. My hint involves the paper flip-flops they give you so you don't mess up your nails. I save them and throw them into my gym bag or take them when I go on vacation. They make great shower shoes.
-- Lisa P., Nashville, Tenn.
DEAR HELOISE: My family and I eat out occasionally, and since we have small children, it can get costly. Many restaurants offer times that kids eat free. We have a list on the refrigerator that we consult before going out to dinner. We don't always go somewhere on the list, but when we do, it really saves money.
-- Kristin K. in Atlanta
Send a money- or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000; fax to (210) 435-6473; or email
MovieStyle on 08/28/2015