Hints From Heloise: Readers show love for litter tubs

Dear Readers: You are so creative! So many of you wrote in about reusing CAT-LITTER TUBS. Here are a few more of the amazing things you do with them:

* Diane in New Jersey wrote: “Use them to store sand/salt for icy driveways and walkways. They are much easier to carry than the awkward bags that sand and salt come in.”

* Kathleen in Arkansas wrote, “I use them on my deck to store hand tools.”

* Eileen, via e-mail, wrote: “We get our cat litter at a pet and feed store here in California that sells by the pound. We take in our own containers to refill, and it costs a fraction of buying the already-filled tubs.”

* Victoria in Texas wrote: “I use old cat-litter containers as a slow-watering mechanism for trees. Simply use a nail to put five or six holes in the bottom, then fill them with water and place them around the root systems of trees.”

* Sharon, via e-mail, wrote: “I use mine to collect rainwater.”

* Edie in Illinois wrote: “We use them in our greenhouse as supports for shelving. We also use them outdoors as support for our potting-bench shelving.”

Thank you for all the letters and great hints, and I really love the one about buying cat litter at a feed store! -- Heloise

SEND A GREAT HINT TO:

Heloise

P.O. Box 795000

San Antonio, TX 78279-5000

Fax: 1-210-HELOISE

E-mail:

EXTRA CHARGE

Dear Heloise: I often forget to charge my cellphone, and it will lose power in the middle of my day. I had an extra cellphone charger at home. I brought it to work and leave it in my desk. That way, if my phone is dying, I can charge it at work and get through the day. -- Sandy in Utah

TRAVEL HINT

Dear Heloise: In response to the tip sent in about night lights at motels/ hotels: Another idea for a night light would be a glow stick that children usually have during Halloween. Glow sticks come in packets, are very inexpensive and the light from them lasts for many hours. They have a variety of colors, so you could choose a colored one for a “soft” light, or a clear or yellow one for a brighter light. They can be hung by the string that is included, or just laid on a countertop. They also are excellent to have on hand for power outages. They are safer than candles. -- Becky in Louisiana

PAYDAY DUTIES

Dear Heloise: I have found a system for paying bills that has helped me to never miss a payment. I get paid every other Friday. On paydays, I sit down and pay all the bills that need to be paid in the next two weeks. I utilize online banking, so everything is paid on that Friday, and then for the next two weeks, I am not stressing about whether I have to make a payment. I know everything has already been paid. -- A Reader, via e-mail

Send a hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Tex. 78279-5000, fax it to 210-HELOISE or e-mail it to Heloise@Heloise.com. Please include your city and state.

2012, King Features Syndicate