January is season for bargain-hunting
Heloise
Dear Readers: This month is a great time to shop for bargains. What’s on sale right now? Let’s take a look:
January is famous for white sales: linens, sheets, curtains, towels and even luggage and housewares. Christmas merchandise, such as decorations and gift wrap, are marked way down. Also, stores are beginning to clear out winter clothes and boots.
Look for specials online, too — maybe free shipping! — Heloise
P.S. For anyone with romance on the mind, January kicks off wedding shopping season; your best values may be right now!
Dear Heloise: To take care of icy concrete steps in the winter without using damaging, salty ice melt, I cut to size rubber door mats that have a brushlike texture and place them on the steps. A large one at the top and bottom of the steps; narrower ones on the steps themselves.
The snow and ice cause them to stick hard on the steps, and the brushy texture gives traction to prevent slips. I pick them up after the spring thaw.
— Jan, via email
Dear Heloise: When I receive cards in the mail (birthday, Christmas, etc.), I write the name and address on the back of the card. That way, when I store them, I’ll have the address for next year. — Randall E., Cortez, Colorado
Dear Heloise: My dog likes to eat radishes! Are they OK? — Luke B., via email
Luke, radishes are OK for your dog as a treat; some dogs may not like the spicy zip of a radish. Other veggies that are fine for the dog as a special snack: cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, carrots, cucumbers, asparagus, green beans and potatoes, all either raw or cooked. They are a good source of vitamins. But no onions. And don’t be confused: Wild radish is a wildflower that is poisonous. — Heloise
Dear Heloise: I had such a problem with handbags and tote bags in my closet. When they are empty, they won’t stand up straight, and the handles get tangled with the other bags. I have discovered that if I fold the handles inside each individual bag, they stand up better and make it easier to store them on the shelf. They are easier to see and to remove the bag that I want. — Judy H., Sherwood, Arkansas
Dear Heloise: I can never remember when I bought a product, so on a small piece of paper I write the date of purchase, then tape it to the product. This worked so well that I began doing the same thing to items like my computer, coffee maker and other appliances. — Pauline K., Moorestown, New Jersey
Dear Heloise: I have a very old cookbook that calls for things like 1 ounce of butter, or 1 pound of flour, or 1 pound of sugar. What does that translate into in modern terms? — Gail N., Waterloo, Iowa
Gail, 1 ounce of butter is 2 tablespoons. A pound of sifted flour is 4 cups, and a pound of sugar is 2 cups. — Heloise
Heloise answers letters only in her King Features Syndicate column. Write her at P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 782795000 or send a fax to 1-210-HELOISE.