Hints from Heloise: Mark containers when buying in bulk

Dear Heloise: I buy shampoo, conditioner, soap and toothpaste in bulk. With a marker, I always label the bottles before putting them away. For example, if I buy a package of five bottles, I label the first one "one out of five" and so on.

When I do this, I don't have to worry about buying too much or when I will need to buy more. -- A Reader


Dear Reader: A very good "inventory" system indeed, and one that will help save you money. -- Heloise

Dear Heloise: I moved into a new house a few years ago. Since I have vaulted ceilings, my kitchen cabinets do not have a soffit over them. I put some cute decorations on top of the cabinets.

Several months later, I got up there to clean and was amazed at how dirty it was. I cleaned like crazy, then put waxed paper on top of the cabinets and put my decorations back. Now when I have to clean, it's just the decorations. I pull off the old, dirty waxed paper and stretch out a new layer. -- Nanci C. in Texas


Dear Nanci: Have you been in my kitchen? I, too, got up there and went "yuck" -- a lot of dust and gunk. -- Heloise


Dear Heloise: A suggestion for readers who are in the process of moving, or plan to, would be to leave the instruction booklets for the appliances in their home.

I have been stuck with a new stove and no clue on how to operate it. Now if I move, I will always keep in mind to leave the old instruction books for the next tenant. -- A Reader

