ADVICE

Dear Heloise: Regarding the hint from Betty, who doesn’t want more knickknacks, because she’s trying to downsize, she should do what my parents did: They asked that their children and grandchildren send a donation to a designated charity in their names.

The charity they selected accepted online donations, so it was easy. It notified the honoree of the gift without disclosing the amount given, while satisfying the “need” of their children and grandchildren to honor them on birthdays and Christmas, as well as Mother’s and Father’s Days.

Now that I’m in the same position, my children have started giving donations to the museum where I serve on the board of trustees, without being asked. They also learned to donate their money and time. — Louise Mulkey, Panhandle, Texas

Dear Heloise: Happy New Year! I read the diet hints for the new year and asked my hubby to be my “diet buddy.” He said, “Sure.” And then, I told him about a diet hint we could do — eat off a salad plate rather than a dinner plate. He replied, “I’ll only agree to that if I can have a refill on the salad plate four times.” Oh well, on to the next hint! — Diane R., via email

Dear readers: When windows get grimy and dirty, here’s a cheap and effective way to clean them. Just add 1 cup of vinegar to a 1/2 gallon of water. To apply to the windows, pour the solution into a spray bottle and spray liberally onto the dirty windows. Then wipe off, and dry the windows well.

They will be streak-free. You can use this mixture to shine mirrors, too.

Vinegar is cheap and safe, with lots of household uses, including cleaning, cooking and beauty hints. I have put together a six-page pamphlet with more vinegar hints you can buy called “Heloise’s Fantabulous Vinegar Hints and More!” You can get this informative pamphlet by sending $5 and a long, self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Heloise/Vinegar, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX, 78279-5001.