Saving on winter heating costs

Dear Readers: If you are concerned about the upcoming colder weather and the high cost of energy in your home, here is one simple way to save money on your heating bills. Turn down your thermostat.

You can save as much as 10% annually on heating (and cooling) by simply turning your thermostat back 7 to 10 degrees for eight hours a day from its normal setting, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. To accomplish this, you will need to have a programmable thermostat. You can then schedule the times you turn on the heating (or air conditioning). —

Sheets and pillowcase organization

Dear Readers: After washing all the sheets and pillowcases and then getting ready to store them, it can be a folding mess. Here’s a way to organize them to save space. Try this:

Fold one flat sheet in the middle, and then fold in half, and then in half again (both folds the long way). Do the same with a fitted sheet, then lay it on top of the folded flat sheet. Fold the matching pillowcases in half, also the long way. Finally, roll them into one neat roll. Stack on the shelves. Then family members can easily grab the specific set for their bed. — Heloise

Pantry labeling

Dear Heloise: It seems obvious, but I have been making a point to put cans and boxes on my pantry shelves with the labels facing outward to make it easier to find things. I have also printed labels for the tops of spice jars, which I keep in a pull-out bin, and this has been a great help! — Dorothy C., Manchester, N.H.

Dorothy, this is a simple, good idea, and will certainly save you time when you are looking for an item on your kitchen shelves. — Heloise

Jigsaw puzzle cookies

Dear Readers: Gather your children to help bake cookies. To keep them engaged, try this cookie game. Have them make jigsaw puzzle cookies! First, make a plain sugar cookie dough and roll it out flat over a baking sheet. With a knife, cut the dough into jigsaw puzzle shapes. Bake the cookies, cool and put them on a wire rack to cool. Then have your kids put the cookie pieces back into the puzzle shape before they eat them. — Heloise

Removing hair spray from curling iron

Dear Readers: Here’s how to get rid of that sticky stuff. Pour several drops of rubbing alcohol on an old terry-cloth towel or old washcloth. Unplug the curling iron and, when cool, rub the towel or washcloth over the cooled surface, then wipe clean with a water dampened cloth. — Heloise

Have a family buffet day

Dear Readers: Our refrigerators get stuffed with leftovers during the week. So instead of wasting them, schedule a buffet day — one day a week on Friday or Saturday. Put out all the leftovers with lots of condiments and let each family member create his or her own delicious meal. It can be a fun food time. —