Heloise

Dear Heloise: Due to my wife’s health, after 68 years, I am now the cook. I find that the most helpful tools for me are pliers, scissors and screwdrivers! I use the screwdriver to open cans with lift tabs. I stick the screwdriver through the tab and push down on the handle.

Pliers can be used to pull open the inner tabs under products with lids. Scissors are good to cut open plastic food bags and cut up leafy items for salads. This sure has made my cooking easy. — Bill Ault, in San Antonio

Dear Heloise: When I plant a new perennial garden, I save the plant tags and tape them to a large piece of paper to make a chart in the same layout as the garden. I will take a photo of the garden sometime during the summer when everything is in full bloom and print a copy to go with the chart.

The next spring, when plants start coming up, I can easily tell which ones didn’t make it through the winter and replace them with another plant that has the same height and color characteristics, or with something that I think would look better. — Sue J., via email

Dear Heloise: Using the notes app to track meds is a good idea, but here are two more suggestions I wanted to add on:

— Make sure you include supplements as these should be reported to doctors as well.

— Put all of your meds and supplements on the counter and take a picture of them with your phone. This provides a wealth of crucial information: dates, doctors, dosage and the pharmacy. Just be sure to retake the photo to document changes and delete old photos to avoid confusion. — Leah Reed, via email

Dear Heloise: My husband and I took home a sweet little kitty from a rescue shelter. On the way home, he bought what he thought was cat food, but it’s actually dog food. Can we feed the cat dog food? — Glenda H., in California

Glenda, no, you can’t. Most dog food is high in bulk but lacks the vitamins and minerals that a cat needs. Take the unused food back to the store and return it. Get proper cat food for your sweet little kitty.

You might also want to ask your veterinarian which vitamins they recommend for your cat. — Heloise

Dear Heloise: Going to a remote location? Hiking in the mountains or desert? I strongly recommend taking a PLB (personal locator beacon) with you. These gadgets are used to alert emergency personnel if you should need help. A PLB or satellite messenger is a lifesaver if you have an accident or are lost. This is especially important if you’re in an area where your cellphone can’t function. — Thomas Y., Medford, Oregon

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Send a money-saving or time-saving hint to Heloise@Heloise.com. I can’t answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.