HELOISE To save money, burn logs made of newspaper

Dear Heloise: This year, we bought a home with a fireplace, so it will be our first one with a real burning fire. The cost of firewood is high in our area, so I was wondering if I could get your instructions for making fire logs from newspaper. Hopefully, this will help lessen the amount of money we will actually spend on wood. Todd B., via e-mail
Todd, congratulations on your new home!
The newspaper logs are easy to make, and if you subscribe to your paper, you probably have a stack around. If not, ask family and friends to save them for you.
You will need a bundle of old newspaper, minus the glossy or colored advertisement pages, and some cans (a size similar to tuna-fish or cat-food cans, where both ends can be removed with a can opener) with labels removed. To make a log:
UTake a 1-inch stack of newspaper and alternate the folded sides of each section.
URoll the stack up tightly, slip on one of the opened-ended cans and push it to the middle of the rolled newspaper.
UYou will need to thoroughly wet the rolled newspaper log by soaking it in water or spraying it with a hose, and then let dry. FYI: Drying will take a while, because the newspaper is compressed, so don't be in a hurry to use these. The wetting-drying process is an important part. The water compresses the paper tightly together and will keep it together better when burning.
Once you have burned a "log," just remove the metal can with a fireplace poker or tongs. Don't use your bare hands in case it is still hot. Heloise
Dear Heloise: Here's my hint for when you are traveling by plane: Take along a small suitcase filled with bottles of water. I always buy 24-packs, since they usually cost more when bought individually on trips.
The suitcase will be empty when your trip has ended and then can be used for your souvenirs or other purchases. Marian Knesek, Denton, Texas
Marian, I thought "What? Who would check a suitcase full of bottled water?" But one of my secretaries does this! She has a favorite flavored water that is sold only by a local grocer, so she takes extra bottles when she travels. Heloise
Dear Heloise: I discovered a terrific reuse for a shoeshine foam buffer. These shine your shoes with just a couple of swipes because they are treated with a shoe wax.
When the buffer is depleted of wax, use it on your car tires. Just spritz your favorite tire protectant on the foam and shine up those tires. When through, replace the foam buffer in its original container until the next time you need it for the car. This makes a messy job easier! A reader, via e-mail
XSend a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000, or you can fax it to (210) HELOISE or e-mail it to Heloise@Heloise.com.
King Features Syndicate