Pick up dropped items good, profitable
DEAR HELOISE: When my husband was diagnosed with cancer, we started walking miles every day. To keep things interesting, I started picking up nails, screws, bottles and cans. After a year of walking over 900 miles, I found that I had picked up 11.2 pounds of things that could have flattened tires and enough bottles and cans to recycle into over $80. All it took was carrying a simple shopping bag and looking for those things to pick up.
— Sophie K., Torrance, Calif. DEAR HELOISE: Hearing birds singing lately reminded me to put a collar with a bell on the cat. (Use one that opens up if the collar gets snagged.) The sound alerts fledglings to keep still and not be killed. And after brushing a pet, put the hair in the garden. Birds use it in nests.
If you feed birds, put a dish of water out for them to drink and to bathe in. Add stones to vary the depth to suit different birds. Putting a table tennis ball in prevents the water from freezing.
— Ray, Waterbury, Conn.
DEAR HELOISE: When I was teaching, my class visited a water treatment facility. We learned that they struggle to remove detergent from the water. Read instructions and use the least amount of detergent needed for washing clothes. Fill a dishwasher before using it. To wash up a small or lightly soiled piece of dishware/ cutlery, use a spray bottle filled with a detergent/water mix to spray it before using a brush or cloth.
Your rivers and wildlife will thank you. If everyone did this, our bills might reduce, too. A double whammy!
— Ray S., via email
DEAR HELOISE: I purchased a new refrigerator, and I decided to get the extended warranty. (The first year was covered by the manufacturer warranty.) Thank goodness I spent the extra $300. The ice maker kept freezing up. Three months after I bought it, I had it fixed the first time. This continued every few months, then I was into the extended coverage. I had it fixed three times within a year. The fourth time it broke, the warranty and the company paid for it under a lemon law, and I got most of my money back.
— Jill Russell, via email DEAR JILL: When you buy new kitchen/household appliances, which are expensive, an extended warranty is definitely something you should think about. Appliances do sometimes have issues and break down. And repairs can be pricey.
— Heloise