NOW HERE'S A TIP

• Save smaller bits of leftover veggies in a large freezer-safe container or bag in the freezer. When it’s full, make vegetable soup.

• “Be sure you use bathroom fans correctly, turning on to remove steam but turning off to keep from pumping out heat. This is equally important in the summer, when you pump out valuable cooled air. Many people don’t think of fans this way, and they end up running for hours.” — R.D. in Mississippi

• Keep salt or baking soda by the stove for small, quick cleanups. A good dose of salt will stop an egg from running all over the place. Dip a damp cloth in baking soda for a handy scrub. Although a handful of either might work in a pinch on a small flare-up on the stove, you should have a fire extinguisher close by for fires.

• “I used to comb through last year’s calendar for important yearly dates when transferring them to the new year’s calendar. This year I have gotten smart. At the end of the month, before turning the page, I highlight the items I’d like to put in next year’s calendar. When I look back, I won’t have to search through all the entries for the good stuff.” — U.L. in Ohio

• “I just spent a lot of time cleaning my mother’s bathtub in a long-neglected bathroom. To keep it from mildewing, I used paste wax to protect the walls. You can use car wax for the same purpose, and many people know about this helpful tip. But I wanted to add a caution: Walls only; do not wax the inside of the tub, especially if you have an elderly resident (or a child). And make sure to have a nonslip mat in the tub at all times.” — A Daughter in Oregon