Dear Heloise: Last Christmas, I got the best gift of all. My granddaughter bought a large wall calendar and circled all important dates in yellow. My son’s and daughter’s birthdays are there, as well as doctor’s appointments, club meeting dates, and other important data.

On the very last page is a blank sheet where she wrote down everyone’s phone number, including my doctor’s and dentist’s numbers. Family members were also there, as well as the phone numbers of my friends, which I sometimes forget. She even listed the security code to my alarm system.

This year for Christmas, I’m going to ask her to do the same thing because it’s so handy to have all this information in one easy-to-reach spot. — H.S., in Kentucky

TURN RIGHT ON RED

Dear Heloise: You can save on your gasoline bill by utilizing the “turn right on red” option. Instead of using gasoline to idle at a light for 30-60 seconds, just go straight and use the same gasoline to move you forward toward your destination.

You can further save by planning out your trips that tend to be in a circle and using the “right on red” choice, rather than sitting in a left turning lane and waiting for the light to change or a space in traffic. A national parcel delivery used these tricks, and they saved quite a bit of money. — D., in Ohio

BAKING SODA CLUMPS

Dear Heloise: Sometimes I have clumps in my baking soda or brown sugar, and these clumps can be rather hard, which makes it difficult to use. So, I usually put them in a bowl and use a potato masher to break them up. Works like a charm for me! — H.J., in Illinois

KEEPING CORDS IN PLACE

Dear Heloise: Years ago, you wrote about corralling computer cords by using an empty cardboard toilet paper roll. I loved it! I wrap the cord around my hand and secure it with a rubber band, then slip it onto the cardboard toilet roll. It’s been a great idea for computers, extension plugs, and many other types of electrical cords. Thanks for this and many more great ideas! — C.P., in Illinois

HEEL TIPS

Dear Heloise: If you buy a brand-new pair of heels and they have a plastic tip on the heel of the shoe, take it to a shoe repair store and have it replaced with a rubber tip. Plastic tips on our high heels are slippery and wear down fast. A rubber tip is safer because they aren’t slippery and last longer. — M.W., in Oregon

HEAVY-DUTY FOIL

Dear Heloise: When the weather here in Houston is not as hot, I like to grill food like pork steaks, chicken, bacon-wrapped shrimp, and vegetables. Putting the food right on the grill grates causes the flames to rise up, so what I have been doing instead is getting some heavy-duty aluminum foil and placing it over the grill. I cut two slits in between each burner to let the juices of the meat drain so that the flames don’t flare up.

I then put some high-temperature grill spray on the foil (shiny side up) to keep the food from sticking. I set the burners on high for a few seconds, then turn them all the way down to low before placing the food on the foil. By using the heavy-duty foil, it keeps the food cooking at about 240-250 F. The pork steaks come out tasting great. — D.H., in Houston

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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.