HELOISE Clever hints cut Grandma's cost of care packages

Dear Heloise: I have always enjoyed the shortcut, timesaving household hints your column provides. Last fall, my only granddaughter left for college. I am retired, so I live on a much-modified income. I send my granddaughter care packages and have relied on some money-saving measures to cut the cost of the shipping:
UI recycle boxes from the local grocer by shopping early in the morning when the shelves are being stocked. I can always find a clerk who will donate empty boxes.
UI always ask for both paper and plastic bags at the checkout counter. I recycle the paper bags by cutting out the bottoms, which leaves the sides flat. I usually use two to wrap the shipping box, depending on its size. A few pennies saved, and she gets a package once a week in a stable container.
UI send her all the coupons inserted in the Sunday paper for her to use or to pass on to her roommates or dorm residents for their use.
Triple savings accomplished. Delores G., Takoma Park, Md.
All good ideas! Heloise
Fast facts: Other uses for glass ashtrays:
UMake one into a pretty bird feeder.
UPut one on a desk to hold paper clips, brads, etc.
UUse as a waterproof base for small potted plants.
UUse to hold scrubbies or sponges under a sink.
UPut one in a bedroom to hold loose change and keys.
UA larger one can hold remotes on a coffee table.
Dear Heloise: I love to get fresh arrangements from the florist, but every time I tried to clip the ends to make them last longer, I could never get them back into the original beautiful arrangement.
I came up with this: Tie a long twist-tie around the arrangement before removing it from the vase. Carefully lay the arrangement on the counter and clip the ends. Rinse the vase, refill with water and then re-place the flowers in the vase. Voil & aacute;! Original arrangement in place. Claudi Kardian, Bentonville, Va.
Dear Heloise: When giving a gift, it's really helpful to the recipient to sign your full name on the card.
After our wedding, my husband and I had three gifts from "Aunt Ann" -- my aunt, his aunt and a close family friend we called "aunt." Susan Zelenka, Washington, D.C.
It's especially important for larger events, such as weddings or graduations! Heloise
Sound off: My biggest complaint with motels and hotels is dirty air-conditioner filters in in-window units.
I always check them and have found most are clogged with dirt/dust. I take them to the manager to ask for a replacement filter (or call the front desk -- Heloise).
Dirty filters cost the motel unnecessary electrical expense and are not healthy for the guests. Jim Hutcheson, Magnolia, Texas
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