DEAR READERS: It's back-to-school time, and time to shop for school supplies. Your child's school should put out a list of required supplies -- the list is usually available at big retailers, grocers and on the school district's website.
There are typically great specials now on notebooks, crayons, reams of loose-leaf paper and even hand sanitizer and facial tissue. Stock up on these items; you'll go through them quickly.
Also, buying materials for a less-fortunate child is always a generous gesture. Ask at school what supplies are needed.
DEAR HELOISE: This is a big shout-out to the shoe companies that make women's shoe sizes 11 and 12, narrow and wide. Until the internet came along, it was impossible for me to find shoes in size 11. Not one department store in my area carried my size, or else the selection was limited.
Now I go to the shoe company website, read the reviews and decide whether to order. I'm so happy.
-- Linda in Arizona
DEAR READERS: What are the top 10 items you carry in your bag or purse? Let's see: wallet/cash/checkbook/debit card (all of this "money stuff" counts as one), ID, phone, keys, facial tissue, medication, hand sanitizer, lipstick, pen and sunglasses is a good starting point. What say you?
DEAR HELOISE: I wear a wig daily due to hair loss. During the summer, it gets hot and humid where I live. An easy way to relieve the heat, especially if I've been outside, is to remove the wig and use a witch hazel wipe on my head to cool down.
I plop the wig back on, and I'm ready to go. Hope this helps some of your readers.
-- Staying Cool
in the Midwest
DEAR READERS: Do you have an extra supply of tomatoes from your garden? Pick some while they are still green, wrap each individually in newspaper, place in a cardboard box and store in a cool, dry place. They will ripen slowly, and you'll have fresh tomatoes into fall.
DEAR HELOISE: I have several rugs with fringe. I got tired of trying to straighten them out, so I took my telescoping back scratcher and used it to straighten the fringe.No stooping or bending over with my aching back.
-- Linda L., via email
Send a money- or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000; fax to (210) 435-6473; or email
Weekend on 08/22/2019