Dear Heloise: Mothballs might seem like an easy way to scare away animals, but they cause more trouble than they’re worth. They’re full of strong chemicals that can hurt your family, your pets, and the land around your home. The strong smell does more than just scare off pests — it can ...

Dear Annie: My granddaughter allows her son to order mocktails -- drinks that sound like the adult version but don't have liquor in them. Even though they are virgin drinks, I'm afraid this will lead him to drinking real alcohol at a young age. What do you think? -- Concerned About the ...

Dear Heloise: To solve the problem of getting all the toothpaste out of the tube easily, you can purchase a small plastic device that is available in most drug stores. This device slides over the rear of the tube after you have used about 30% of the toothpaste, and you can easily advance it up ...

Dear Annie: My stepson of 15 years, "Toby," is getting married. I've always had a great relationship with him and his bride-to-be, and I've treated her like she was already family. Here's my dilemma: Toby got angry with me because my sister, who worked at his and my husband's company, ...

Dear Annie: My husband and I both work from home and each have our own offices. The problem is our walls are thin and his voice is LOUD. It travels through walls and doors and can even be heard by colleagues I'm speaking with when we both have meetings at the same time. It honestly sounds like ...

Dear Heloise: What’s the easiest and cheapest way to send clothes ahead of a trip instead of checking bags? — Dee, via email Dee, sending a little box ahead to your destination can really cut down on travel headaches. Keep it to just what you’ll actually need and pack it up in a sturdy ...