Hints from Heloise: Donate outdated clothes to theater groups

Dear Heloise: When my husband's 96-year-old grandmother passed away a few years ago, she had two minks, a fox coat and a few interesting dressy but out-of-date items of clothing.

We took them to a college theater group — the people there know how to "feed and care for" furs and use them in productions. They were most grateful. — Donna, Seal Beach, Calif.

Check with high-school, college and even city theater groups to see if they would be interested in your clothing. — Heloise

Dear Heloise: Here is how I use socks that are worn out in the heel or toe:

Slip one around a frozen water bottle or cold drink can.

Use as a dust or cleaning cloth. — Connie Mason, via e-mail

And here are others from Heloise Central:

Great for shoe polishing.

Use as shoe bags when traveling.

Great miniblind cleaner. — Heloise

Dear Heloise: I clip coupons for everything. To be sure I don't forget my coupons, I keep them in the door pocket of my car.

I put grocery coupons in one of those small accordion files. I put coupons for restaurants, stores, car wash, dry cleaning, etc., in quart-size zipper bags. — Patricia Wagner, Corona, Calif.

Dear Heloise: When you need a bit of butter and it is hard from refrigeration, take your vegetable peeler and peel a long, thin slice from the top of the butter stick. — Anastasia, San Antonio

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