Helpful Hints

DEAR READERS: When I send flowers to friends, especially three longtime girlfriends since we all share April birthdays, I send one bouquet to me, too! I know I'll get flowers. Really, it's to see if the flowers shown on a website are what is delivered.

I've been pretty happy most times. Once the box was left in the wrong place and not discovered until the next day. The flowers did not have water vials on the stems, so the flowers were in sad shape. Regardless of the time of year, it can get warm here in San Antonio.

The company sent another bouquet after I called and told them of the situation. Good customer service, and I'll use them again.

DEAR HELOISE: Sorry, but clarification on a hint is needed. In the past, I believe you said to use dark vinegar to clean tools.

The only dark vinegar I find in stores is apple-cider vinegar. So, is that the dark vinegar, or is it some other kind of vinegar?

-- Guy C., Manhattan, Kan.

DEAR READER: Guy, good point. Apple-cider vinegar is dark vinegar. White or apple-cider vinegar both work for tools. Apple-cider vinegar is "dark"-colored because it's made from apples; white vinegar is made from grain. To use, place small tools in vinegar and let sit overnight or longer. Then scrub with a brush and rinse well. Got rusty screws and bolts? Give them a good soak, too. Buy the store brand of vinegar -- it's usually cheaper -- and always have a gallon on hand.

DEAR HELOISE: I noticed that Monopoly has been updated, and there are newer versions alongside the older one. I purchased a new version and gave it to my son for his birthday. He'd been playing the original one with his friends.

They used the new one for game night, and it was a hit. He claims the newer version is slightly different and faster to play than the original one.

-- Monopoly Mom, via text

DEAR HELOISE: Many times, purchases come with price tags attached with ribbon, narrow woven belts, artificial stones, etc. I save this in a drawer and now have many colors, small flowers and other items that are perfect for decorating a package when wrapping it.

It's fun to be creative, and repurposing is good for the environment.

-- Carole in Omaha, Neb.

DEAR HELOISE: When I travel, I have an extra change of clothes in my carry-on. You never know if your luggage is going to get lost or if you are going to experience extended layovers.

-- Julia, via email

Send a money- or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000; fax to (210) 435-6473; or email

Heloise@Heloise.com

MovieStyle on 02/12/2016

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