Managing your online image
Dear Readers: If you are applying for a new job, be aware that employers do check your online sites. So, before an interview, make certain that everything on your site is professional. Also, be sure to have a professional headshot! Heloise
No-slip shower
Dear Heloise: When I travel, and I travel often for work, I always wondered what I’d do if I fell in the shower and was hurt. Would I have to wait until the cleaning crew found me?
My wife solved the problem by recommending that I pack a length of non-skid plastic shelf liner in my suitcase. I dry it off after showering, then either use it again or use it to cushion other items in my bags. V.L., in Ohio
Pet insurance
Dear Readers: If you think you will not be able to pay for vet bills, you can check out pet insurance. Policies and coverage differ, so discuss this with your vet and review policies from different companies. Heloise
Garage sale shutdown
Dear Heloise: Just a reminder most cities now require a permit to hold a garage sale. My girlfriend and I didn’t know this, and we went ahead and had a very successful sale. But it was embarrassing when a police car showed up, shut us down and issued us a fine.
If someone isn’t sure if they need a permit, they should check with their local police department or city hall. Linda and Patty, in California
Kitchen clothespins
Dear Heloise: I’ve found that clothespins have a lot of uses, especially in my kitchen. I use them to:
■ Keep any bag closed.
■ Keep a cookbook open on a page I’m reading from.
■ Use four of them to raise the lid on a pot so that steam can escape.
■ Keep wax paper secure around a bowl. A Reader, via email
Tire pressure
Dear Heloise: When checking your car’s tire pressure, don’t forget to check on your spare or donut tire. If you need your spare, you don’t want that one to be flat, too. K.C., via email
Avoiding phone scammers
Dear Heloise: The best way to avoid any possible scamming over the phone is to not pick up numbers that you don’t recognize.
Let them leave a voicemail, and if you’re interested in talking to them after thinking about your options, you can call them back on your terms. M.G., via email