Heloise

Dear Heloise: I also have trouble seeing the dates on items, so when I bring home my groceries, I grab a permanent marker and write the date on the top of a can, the end of the egg carton, or whatever. It makes it so much easier. Love to read all of the hints. — Karen B., in New York

Karen, grocery stores usually have a rapid turnover of products, so writing the date of purchase is a good idea. — Heloise

LEAKY DRAIN

Dear Heloise: I struggled with this for months. My kitchen sink drain stopper was allowing the water to leak out before I could get my dishes done. I could not find a replacement stopper to fit the drain anywhere. I don’t remember exactly how, but it suddenly occurred to me that if I would run the water before pushing the stopper down, the water would provide a seal.

This has completely fixed the problem that was so annoying! — Diane L., in Illinois

COFFEE FILTERS

Dear Heloise: My single-serve coffeepot has a permanent filter to use for ground coffee when not using a pod (which I find wasteful and expensive). I find that the permanent filter doesn’t sufficiently remove the fine grounds. I saw an article in a recipe site that suggested cutting parchment paper as a substitute for cupcake cups and applied the technique to my morning cup of java.

I cut regular coffee filters that are a little larger than my pod holder into four slits that were a few inches toward the center, applied the filter over the outside of the permanent filter, and inserted it into the pod holder before adding my grounds. Works like a charm! — Laura E., in Florida

LOCKBOX HINT

Dear Heloise: I am in my late 80s, and my supportive children live about 30 minutes away from me. A year or so ago, I read a hint (maybe from you, but I think on Facebook) to use a lockbox on the front door instead of hiding a key in places that burglars know to look.

When I fell last week late at night, I gave my code to the 911 responders, which allowed them to get in and pick me off the floor. The lockbox doesn’t look too good on the door, and people think your house is for sale, but I am so thankful that I did this. — Romaine P., via email

USELESS LUXURIES

Dear Heloise: I learned a very expensive lesson after my husband and I built our retirement home. We wanted a smaller home that was well-built with many of the luxuries that we’d always dreamed of. One was a jacuzzi bathtub. I used it twice, and my husband won’t use it at all. They’ are expensive, break down from time to time, and jack up the water bill because you need a full tub of water if you want to get the whirlpool action.

I suppose if you have certain physical problems, a jacuzzi might help, but it was a total waste of money for us. The builder talked us into it along with under-floor heating and a media room. I hate the media room. It’s small and windowless, and we rarely use it. As they say, “you live and learn.” — Don and Frances B., in Phoenix

Don and Frances, sometimes it sounds good to have certain things, but in reality, they might be more work, just another room to clean, or something you use less than you thought you would. Whenever possible, ask people who have the luxuries that you think you’d like to have if the item is worth the expense. — Heloise