How to use up all your toothpaste

Dear Heloise: I read your daily hints in the Lima News, and occasionally, people suggest cutting open toothpaste tubes to get every little bit out of the tube. That can be messy, and really is not nec- essary. When the toothpaste tube is near the end, all you need is something flat, like the back of a comb. Lay the tube of toothpaste down on a flat surface, take the comb, press down on the bottom of the tube and drag it to the top using pressure. This will push every last drop of the toothpaste out of the tube. Thank you for all of your handy hints and tips. I look forward to reading them every day! — Ken Drexler, Wapakoneta, Ohio

Save those sleeves

Dear Heloise: In response to the lady in Moreno, Cal- ifornia, that re-uses plas- tic newspaper sleeves for dog droppings and pack- ing material. Several years ago, my carrier told me that they have to buy the sleeves from the newspaper. After that, I began sav ing my sleeves for her to reuse. I have since returned hun- dreds of sleeves, saving her many dollars. Every morn- ing, she will go up my drive- way to leave my paper on the front porch. On occa- sion, I will leave her a thank you note with a gift card to Dunkin Donuts or Mcdonald’s. I enjoy reading your column in the Lima News. — Jack Bevilockway, Lima, Ohio

Auto shop dress code

Dear Heloise: Years ago, I always went to the auto repair shop in a dress or skirt with heels after work. My car bills were always high, regardless of the problem. Even as a college graduate, my salary was low, and I was a single mom at the time. Since then, I’ve been given this advice: “Dress down when going to the shop so they don’t think you’re rich, and they will charge you less. But, dress up to go to a medical specialist.” (They will explain things to you more in-depth because you will appear more educated!) Appearance does matter. — Ann Reynolds, via email