DEAR HELOISE: I wanted to add to a reader's hint. Anna S. suggested taking pictures of the odometer to keep track of her mileage.
I go one step further by texting the picture to my email address. Not only can I view it on my home computer, but I also have a backup copy in case my phone is lost or damaged.
I also do this for medical forms that I sign at the doctor's office, and have used it to dispute the purported gas-tank level on a rental car.
-- Jolynne G.,
Anaheim, Calif.
DEAR READERS: This hint came in from a concerned consulate worker in Houston, and I thought it was a good follow-up to our column related to traveling with medicine:
"May I also suggest that those who intend to travel internationally contact the local consulate associated with the country they intend to visit to ensure that there are no restrictions on their medications.
"Please don't rely on the internet or a travel agent to know all of the laws of the place to which you are traveling. It would be a shame to go through airport customs only to have your medicine confiscated -- or worse."
-- Emily G.
DEAR HELOISE: I spilled nail polish on my favorite cotton blouse. What's the best way to remove the stain without ruining the blouse, or am I outta luck?
-- Carrie G.,
Desperate in Seattle
DEAR READER: All isn't lost. For washable fabric like cotton, try using an acetone-based nail-polish remover that doesn't have any additives such as aloe, fragrances, etc. Test a hidden area of the blouse by dabbing a little remover. If the color doesn't bleed, proceed. Place the stain on a stack of paper towels. Then pour about 1/2 capful of remover on and dab with clean paper towels. Continue the process until the stain is gone, then wash as usual. On a side note, be sure your nails aren't polished when using this hint, because this may create a much bigger problem when cleaning the blouse.
DEAR READERS: Camping and need a scrubber for your pots? Try crumpling some aluminum foil and using it as a scrubber. Word of caution: Don't use foil on your good pots.
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 08/26/2016