DEAR HELOISE: I recently went to a meeting at my church and heard a speaker talking about the importance of gratitude. She asked how many of us had a flat tire at one time and a stranger stopped and helped us change it, or were a dollar short at the grocery store and the person behind us volunteered to give us the money we were short. Several in the audience raised their hands. She said that maybe all we could do was say "thank you" when the stranger refused to take money for their help.
So go ahead and thank them. When it's your turn to help someone, remember those who helped you and do the same. The only reward you should expect is to feel good that someone in need was better off because you reached out to them. You may never know if you saved their life, or helped them feed their family, or get home safely, but you'll always know you performed an act of kindness by passing it on.
-- Gracie R., Austin, Texas
DEAR READERS: Got an extra eyeglass case? Here are some uses for them:
• Hold small dental supplies or toothpicks.
• Hold extra tissues.
• Store a couple of pens inside.
• Store loose change.
DEAR HELOISE: We have a long driveway and walkway from the street to our house. Instead of trying to sweep or shovel a light snow fall, we use our leaf blower. It's easier than a shovel and less work than sweeping.
-- Micky W.,
Albuquerque, N.M.
DEAR HELOISE: My husband's shaving cream always left a rust stain on my bathroom tile, and it was difficult to remove. Finally, I got a foam can holder -- the kind used on cold beer and soda cans -- and put his shaving cream can in one of those foam containers. No more rusty stains.
-- Frances P.,
Warren, Ohio
DEAR HELOISE: Sometimes I need a toothpick after a meal, but many restaurants don't provide those anymore. So I took the lipstick out of an old tube of lipstick and placed several toothpicks inside. Now I can retire to the ladies room and make certain there is no spinach stuck in my teeth.
-- Loretta S.,
Bend, Oregon
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