Keep chargers with you while on trips

Dear Heloise: Reading about travelers with electronic chargers, I wanted to add one note: Always carry your chargers with you! If your luggage gets lost, then you have these essential tools with you.

If your flight is canceled, you can call for a rental car, book a room, call family, etc. Carry on everything and anything essential, and that includes cellphones and computer chargers.

Yes, I learned the hard way.

Suzanne T., a Stranded Traveler in Litchfield, Conn.

How right you are! I know from firsthand experience, and that is exactly why I will not put chargers in checked bags. There are “multi” charging devices you can use, also. If, however, you are left without a charger and are staying at a hotel, you may be in luck! Ask at the front desk, and many times they have “left behinds” for all sorts of electronics!

While on business or pleasure travel, Don’t put medications, jewelry or valuables (including important documents) in checked luggage! Think smart about travel.

Heloise

Dear Heloise: My hint is tailored to the many cold/allergy sufferers. I keep two tissue boxes in my car console: one of ready-to-grab tissues, and next to it is the last empty tissue box. This one is used to stuff the used tissue in.

This makes for easy access for front-/back-seat passengers, as well as for the driver.

To swap them out, the used-up box becomes the new waste container, and the new one goes in its place.

Rosanne W., Springfield, Ill.

Rosanne, this works at work and home, and on the road, too! Why take the chance of spreading germs or getting them? It only takes one nasty little germ to make you sick! A second use for the tissue box, too.

Heloise

Dear Heloise: I make my own cards from original artwork. Keeping the work surface clean of the glue and mess is always a problem.

I had catalogs on my work table to throw away, and I started using a clean page for every glue application. Just turn to the next page for another clean work surface.

I am happy with this easy and no-expense solution.

Susan in Ventura, Calif.

Dear Heloise: When defrosting a frozen breakfast sandwich in the microwave, the cheese melts first and runs out of the pastry.

I learned to take the cheese off the sausage, egg, etc., and let it lie flat while the rest is defrosting. When the sandwich is hot, I put the cheese back between the sausage and egg and let it sit for a minute or so. Then the melted cheese is on the sandwich and not on the wrapper.

June in Illinois

Dear Heloise: To ease the pain of enduring obnoxious TV commercials, I keep the remote on hand and immediately hit the “MUTE” button. Silent commercials are easier to bear.

Dan in California

Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, fax it to 210-HELOISE or email it to Heloise@Heloise.com.

2016 King Features Syndicate