Are you going to move?
DEAR READERS: If you are embarking on a move, it can be expensive. Experts say to plan ahead and do extensive research on movers. They recommend that you get at least three bids in writing and be certain that the American Moving & Storage Association certifies the companies. Then take these three steps:
1. Make certain you understand the bid. You want a binding estimate rather than a “guestimate,” where the price might be higher than the quote.
2. Read all fine print so you know exactly what is included.
3. Think about buying extra insurance, if that is an option, to make sure you have plenty of coverage for possible damages.
— Heloise
TIGHT LEATHER SHOES
DEAR HELOISE: I bought a pair of leather shoes, and they are just too tight. What can I do to make them
fit and feel better? — Linda in Colorado
DEAR LINDA: One key thing you can do is to try to stretch the leather a bit. Here’s how: Buy a shoe stretcher, and also get a shoe stretch spray, which you can find at shoe-repair shops. Place the stretcher in the shoe and apply the spray to each shoe. However, if this doesn’t work, take the shoes to a shoerepair shop that has a stretching machine. — Heloise
KIDS BORED WITH BREAKFAST?
DEAR READERS: If your children are tired of the same old breakfast offerings, here are three ideas to liven up the first food they eat in the morning:
First, serve a breakfast banana spilt. Peel and split a banana and place in a flat bowel. Sprinkle with a cup of their favorite dry cereal and top with a 1/2 cup of yogurt. You can add miniature chocolate chips or berries. Second, create a breakfast pizza. Bake a whole-wheat crust and top with cheesy scrambled eggs and a bit of salsa. Third, make a breakfast bars. Mix two lightly beaten eggs, 1/2 cup of chunky peanut butter, 1/4 cup of honey, 2/3 cup of non-fat dry milk powder and 3 cups of your child’s favorite dry pebble-type cereal. Spread on a greased 8-inch pan and bake for 20 minutes at 325 degrees. Cool and cut into bars. — Heloise
WEBSITE/ACCOUNT PASSWORDS
DEAR READERS: A friend’s husband passed away. It turned out that he had accounts (for bank and stockbroker), websites and a phone at work that required passwords. No one at work knew what they were. And this obviously created some big problems. So it’s a good idea for your family to have a master list of accounts, including all important financial and personal passwords even yours and your children’s phone, etc. Make copies. Keep one list at home and put one in a safety deposit box at the bank. An executor of your estate will have access to the box and passwords. — Heloise
SMELLY BOOKS
DEAR READERS: If you have stored books in the basement or attic, when you want to get them out you may discover that those in a basement, which has a lot of moisture, have gotten a mildewy smell. To remove the odor, try these hints:
First, air out the book by fanning it open a couple of times. Then you can let it sit in the sun for a while. If it still smells, sprinkle baking soda over the pages and leave it on for several days. If you see mildew, put the book in a zip-top plastic bag, but don’t seal it. Then put it in the freezer to kill mildew. Repeat this with each mildewy book. — Heloise