Dear Heloise: Every time I go somewhere, it seems that far too many people have their hand out for a tip. The donut shop I go to has a tip jar on the counter, but I’ve never seen any money in it. I pay a delivery charge for many things I buy online, and most delivery fees aren’t cheap. Still, many delivery people expect a tip on top of the delivery charge.

I won’t tip them. It’s really gotten out of hand. Who can we not tip? I don’t want to be a cheapskate, but really, let the employer raise their salaries instead of relying on the generosity of customers. — Wyatt M., Ponca City, Oklahoma

Wyatt, you asked who we do not need to tip. The truth is, tipping is not an entitlement. I know that will upset some people, but a tip is not promised to anyone.

There are many services that do not usually receive tips. As for other services that generally ask for tips, you may tip as much as you feel the service is worth to you. There are guidelines, but there are no hard and fast rules to tipping. I’ve known a fair number of wealthy people that will not tip more than 10% or 15% for anything.

However, there are many professions where workers rely on tips to help them make it month to month. So, tipping is a little more than a “thank you.” It’s a kindness. I don’t know anyone who’s getting rich off of tips. — Heloise

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YOGURT

Dear Heloise: My doctor recommended that I try eating yogurt for protein and calcium. He suggested plain yogurt, but I don’t like the tartness of plain, unflavored yogurt. Can I get the same benefits from flavored yogurt? — Libby Y., Boca Raton, Florida

Libby, as long as you are not sensitive to lactose, yogurt will provide you with a healthy dose of calcium and protein. When shopping for yogurt, look for one that has “live culture” or an LAC seal on the label. You might want to check the sugar content because it can vary from one manufacturer to another.

There are many flavors, and a large number of companies tend to make yogurt. Greek yogurt is strained to remove as much liquid as possible, and it’s a little thicker. Yogurt made from goat’s milk is generally less sweet, and there are vegan brands as well.

While yogurt is an acquired taste for some, many people love it the first time they taste it. — Heloise

CELLPHONE BATTERY

Dear Heloise: I read that keeping my cellphone plugged in all night ruins the battery. Is this true? — Frances C., Baxter, Minnesota

Frances, this is true. There is a lot of stress on the battery when it is 100% charged up. This also applies to any other electronics you happen to have in your home. Leaving a computer battery plugged in for several weeks at a time is very bad for the battery. Try to avoid this habit to extend the life of your battery. Always stop at about 80% or 90% when charging your batteries. — Heloise

POTATO-CHIP CLIP USE

Dear Heloise: As a senior citizen, I often forgot to grab my cellphone before leaving the house. I hate to be without it in case I need it for an emergency. Now I clip a brightly colored potato-chip clip to my purse when I’m at home. When I go to leave, the clip reminds me to take my phone! — S.J., in Michigan