HELOISE Readers offer tips for sticking it to loose tack pins

Dear Readers: Hi! We recently shared a letter from a reader asking how to keep tack pins attached to her daughter's jacket. Well, many readers have sent their hints, so here they are:
UMrs. T. of Wellsville, Ohio, says: "To keep tack pins in place, try using duct or adhesive tape -- strength can vary depending on the type of fabric or thickness of the coat. Put tape on the underside of the material, push the pin through the material and tape, then place the back on the pin and cover with tape over all this. This prevents loss of hard-earned awards." (I love this hint! -- Heloise)
UDiane Smith of Texas says: "If the young lady does not want to change out the pins, but wants a permanent solution, tell her to take pliers and bend the stem slightly. Actually, it can be bent back up if she wants to move it. Bending will keep the back on, I guarantee."
UCindy, via e-mail, says: "How about using the rubber mini-tubes you put on the backs of pierced earrings so they don't get lost? I rarely lose my earrings when I use them."
UJill Hotelling of Middlesex, N.Y., says: "Use a pencil eraser. It will hold them tightly, but you can still remove them and use them on another outfit."
Thanks to all who shared hints to help our young reader. Heloise
Dear Heloise: A hint for your readers: I have always hung my calendar on the side of my fridge with a suction-cup hook. Recently, I bought a new fridge, but the sides did not have a smooth finish, and the suction cup would not stick, no matter what I tried. Finally, I took a smooth magnet (one I had gotten as an advertisement, 2 inches by 3 inches) and put the suction cup on it, then hung my calendar right where I have always had it. Melissa in Heath
Dear Heloise: I have had problems with the backs of my sneakers collapsing as I put them on. I have looked and looked for a shoehorn, but it seems to be a thing of the past. But, I have found that a small-size serving spoon (I use stainless steel) works great. My heel just slides right into my sneaker as quick as a wink. Harriet in Huntington, Texas
Shoehorn? You are right; shoehorns used to be in every hotel room. Here's a Heloise hint: Use a dollar bill (a $5, $10 or $20 will do, too!!). It lets your heel slip right into the shoe. Heloise
Dear Heloise: I wanted to share a hint I learned in junior high. My seventh-grade teacher taught us that if brown sugar hardens, just put a piece of bread on each side of the sugar chunk. The sugar will suck the moisture out of the bread. A Reader, via e-mail
XSend a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or you can fax it to (210) HELOISE or e-mail it to Heloise@Heloise.com.
King Features Syndicate