Dear Heloise: I bought a yogurt maker for about $20, and the end result is a creamy, tasty yogurt without the guilt of buying a plastic one-use container, as we normally do when buying milk in a carton. And if you add another 2 hours to the time listed in the directions, it always provides perfect results. — Melody Placial, via email

CALLING IN TO CHARITIES

Dear Heloise: I recently read a letter in your column about stopping unsolicited requests for donations. You suggested writing to each of those entities, but I call them. They’re always very pleasant on the phone, and sometimes they even have a number to press to get your name off of a solicitation list. It’s much easier than writing. — A Reader, via email

SLIDING DOOR PROTECTION

Dear Heloise: I’m sure there are many elderly readers out there who, like me and my husband, place a pole (or an old broom handle) in the track of their sliding door when they lock it at night as an extra safety precaution. But as I became less mobile due to Parkinson’s disease, bending down to remove the pole each morning became very difficult for me.

I solved this problem by buying a plastic shower curtain holder, and my hubby mounted this halfway up the door to hold the pole. He strengthened the holder by using glue and a screw. No more bending down to remove pole each time! I hope you consider this hint worth printing. — Monica Martin, Huntington Beach, California

ANOTHER PEANUT BUTTER SANDWICH HINT

Dear Heloise: When I was in grade school, I was dared to try something a friend made up for her own lunch. It was a cooked hot dog in a bun with peanut butter instead of the regular condiments. I tried it, and I thought it was great.

It’s not all that healthy, but I still have it once in a great while. Also, try sprinkling bacon bits on a peanut butter sandwich or, for a sweet sandwich, raisins. Thanks! — S.E.A., in Los Angeles

FRAMING HINTS

Dear Heloise: I am a retired framer and have framed many family treasures and artifacts. A rule in my practice is to never use pins. They can, and do, rust and discolor the fabrics.

My recommendation is to use thread and sew the garments back and forth through the backboard (in a shadow box) in various places of the garment to prevent sagging. Always use acid-free boards and ensure proper spacing of the glass from the art piece’s surface.

Here’s an extra hint: Drill or poke holes in the backboard before sewing to make the project easier. — E.K., in Connecticut

INCREASING NATURAL LIGHT

Dear Heloise: I like a lot of light in my home environment. Unfortunately, my small bathroom window does not allow much light to enter. To solve the problem, I moved the window curtain up to hang above the window frame so that the bottom of the curtain covers the top of the window. This increased the light and gave the perception of a larger window! — D., in Ohio

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.