HELOISE: Saving money on flowers is a blooming good idea

Dear Heloise: I have a great way to save money when sending flowers. Quite a few times, I must send them out of my area or out of state. I simply find a florist in that area and call the store directly. It also saves a lot of time. Sue from Pennsylvania

Sue, that’s a money-saving hint and a good way to be sure the arrangement is exactly what you want, since you can actually talk to the florist. Many have toll-free numbers, and a long-distance call is cheap today! Heloise

Fast Facts

Dear Heloise: My hints involve dryer sheets:

•They are perfect for getting rid of static cling caused by weather, friction, etc., in your clothes. I have used them to keep my pants from “climbing” up my leg.

•They also are a good size for airing out your car. One sheet is not too strong when placed under your car seat overnight.

•These strips are convenient when you need to air out drawers, closets, cars, etc. Ann S., Texarkana, Ark.

Dear Ann: Yes, aren’t dryer sheets wonderful? A used full-size sheet is super for dusting around the house, to use as replacement pads for those floor sweepers (use two), and to clean the lint trap of the dryer. Heloise

Dear Heloise: I’ve been trying to learn a new language and was having a hard time with all the new vocabulary. I started using flashcards to help in memorization, but they weren’t very manageable.

When I was in my friend’s attic, we found an old alphabetical file, so I dusted it off and found that it works perfectly! I put a word on one side of the card and the meaning on the other side (upside down, so that when you flip the card, it reads right-side up). The words can be put into alphabetical order, and new words can be added as you keep learning the language.

I figure that any student learning a foreign language could use this system, but I guess it would work just as well for high-school students memorizing obscure vocabulary words. Michael P., Washington, D.C.

Dear Heloise: Fill a clean plastic soda bottle a third full with your favorite beverage. Place in the freezer until frozen. When you are ready to go out, fill to the top with the same beverage. This prevents water (ice) dilution of your beverage. It stays cold for quite a while. Diana in Missouri

Sound On

Dear Heloise: In response to the reader about the Sound Off on bumpy insoles: I am so glad that someone has spoken out! It’s time to let the shoe manufacturers realize these insoles are not therapeutic but merely a nuisance.

Thank you, Heloise, and the reader for speaking out on a subject that no doubt affects many, but we all have been putting off writing. Helen Blanchard-Young, Angola, Ind.

SBlt Send 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