Dear Heloise: I occasionally have scorched food stuck in the bottom of a pan. Instead of trying to scrub away this brown stuck-on food, I put a little water mixed with dishwasher detergent in the pan. I then simmer this mix on a cooktop for a short time. It usually takes little effort to remove and is good as new. — Polly Hardin, Russellville, Arkansas

ONLINE ADS

Dear Heloise: When I see pop-up ads on Facebook for an item of interest, I look for it on Amazon or another trustworthy retailer. Often the item is less expensive and includes free shipping. It’s much safer to do business with a safe, secure seller than an unknown one who could possibly be a scammer or worse. Some are safe, but why chance it? — Jean Milici, Torrington, Connecticut

TIRE TRACTION IN BAD WEATHER

Dear. Heloise. I enjoy reading your column in the Winchester Star in Virginia. In snowy, icy weather, you can take heavy rubber floor mats and put them next to the front of your tires for traction until you get past the icy section where you are stuck. You can also use kitty litter.

For our sidewalks, my first husband would throw down birdseed. It would melt the ice on the spot. Birds will come eat up the fallen birdseed, so it helps the birds, too. Where there is a break in the ice, you can shovel it in there. Little thin mats won’t help much for tire traction on ice. — Terry, in Winchester, Virginia

NECK RELIEF

Dear Heloise: I have neck issues and cannot bend my head down to read for long periods without causing myself pain. I also have macular degeneration, which requires me to have bright light to see book print. I solved both issues by putting my books on a music stand that is set at eye level, and I attach a strong reading light. You could also use a music light. — Barbara Bradford, via email

PROTECT YOUR PURSE

Dear Heloise: I don’t think I’ve seen this tip before: I’ve started folding up a plastic grocery bag as small as I possibly can, and I put it in my purse before sporting events. Then when I get to my seat, I remove the bag and put my purse in it so that when I put the purse under my seat, it stays clean. Hope this helps someone else. — C.B., in San Antonio

Send a money-saving or time-saving hint to Heloise@Heloise.com. I can’t answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.

RUBBER BAND REMINDER

Dear Heloise: Whether it is a spare ketchup bottle, a garlic powder spice container, or a box of crackers, everyone usually has an “extra something” in their pantry that is waiting to be used and gets moved to the front of the kitchen cabinet.

When I buy more than one of something, I put a rubber band around the item that is in use. (I keep a small bag of them in my drawer.) When I run out of said ketchup, I know not to put it on my grocery list and instead use the spare one from my pantry that will be expiring later on in the year.

I have used this new system of mine for over five years now, and it has come in handy so much that I just wanted to share it. Hope it works for you. — A.S., in Iowa