Dear Heloise: I read the letter someone sent you recently about saving water while brushing your teeth. It was a good idea, but there’s an even better one.

Until I was about 14 or 15, we only had a bathtub. Dad finally put in a shower and a water softener. When I would let the water run while taking a shower, I would hear: “Turn off the water while you wash!” For decades now, whether I’m at home, in a hotel or wherever, I get in the shower and get wet along with my soap and washcloth. Then I turn the water off, soap up from head to toe, then turn the water back on to rinse off.

If you have a family with members who shower every day, you can save a lot of water this way, not to mention having to power your water heater, whether it’s gas or electric. And I hear too many people who stay in hotels and motels say, “Who cares? It’s free.” The same goes with asking for clean towels and sheets every day.

People, it’s not free. Besides the environmental issue, the more water used by a hotel for showers and laundry, the more they pay for water and utilities. And guess what? The more they have to pay, the more your room rate goes up! Just think about it. Thanks. — Jan O., Springfield, Ohio

WHY WE SHOULDN’T BUY NEW THINGS

Dear Heloise: I have never wrote in to your column before, but I wanted to take the opportunity to tell others about the great person who wrote in to you about buying new things. This person was right on the money when stating that buying new things to impress others is not the way to go.

Impressing people with your morals and values is much more important than buying shiny new things that put you in debt. This person will go a long way in life because of their understanding about what is important. Leo Dworken said, “No amount of time can erase the memory of a good cat, and no amount of masking tape can ever totally remove his fur from your couch.” — Patricia Wichael, vai email

NAIL-BITING SOLUTION

Dear Heloise: When I was in junior high school, I, too, used to bite my nails. I started carrying a small nail file and clippers with me and used them whenever I got the urge to bite. It worked! I haven’t bitten my nails since school, and now I’m 88. Good luck! — John W., San Juan Capistrano, California

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Hints from Heloise run occasionally in Lifestyles. Readers may send a hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000, fax it to 210-HELOISE, or email: Heloise@Heloise.com. Letters won’t be answered personally.