Lifestyles

Hints from Heloise: Getting out all of the toothpaste

DEAR HELOISE: To solve the problem of getting all the toothpaste out of the tube easily, you can purchase a small plastic device that is available in most drug stores. This device slides over the rear of the tube after you have used about 30% of the toothpaste, and you can easily advance it up the tube as you dispense the paste so that the tube is “always full.” The paste comes out easily until there’s no more paste to dispense. It’s not expensive — maybe $2 to $4 usually for a pack of two. I’ve been using this simple device for years. — Tony S., via email DEAR ...

To Your Good Health: Heart attacks no longer ‘rare’ at 57

DEAR DR. ROACH: I’m always saddened when a young person dies of an old person’s calling. I read about an actor dying of a heart attack at age 57. Apparently, he was athletic and in otherwise good health. Why do healthy young people suffer from unexpected heart attacks? — A.C.G. ANSWER: A heart attack is very rare under the age of 30 — in the order of about 2 men per 100,000 per year. But this number continues to increase throughout lifetime. (Women also get heart disease but at a lower rate than men do at any given age. Roughly speaking, a woman’s risk for a heart attack is ...

Friday evening TV

Bridge by Steve Becker

1. Two spades. Generally speaking, the double of one diamond shows at least an opening bid and implies support for the unbid suits. If the double is based on minimum values, the doubler should not bid again after his partner responds at the lowest level in his chosen suit. Thus, if the ...

Dealing with noisy spouse during remote work

DEAR ANNIE: My husband and I both work from home and each have our own offices. The problem is our walls are thin and his voice is LOUD. It travels through walls and doors and can even be heard by colleagues I’m speaking with when we both have meetings at the same time. It honestly sounds like he’s screaming in there. I’ve resorted to noise canceling headphones while doing focus work, but even then I can sometimes hear him. I love him dearly, but I feel like I’m co-working in a sports bar. Is there any hope? — Drowned Out DEAR DROWNED OUT: There are ways to solve your ...

Send boxes ahead of a vacation

DEAR HELOISE: What’s the easiest and cheapest way to send clothes ahead of a trip instead of checking bags? — Dee, via email Dee, sending a little box ahead to your destination can really cut down on travel headaches. Keep it to just what you’ll actually need and pack it up in a sturdy box or in a padded shipping bag. Make sure to compare rates between the United States Postal Service, UPS and FedEx before you commit — prices can vary more than you’d think. Going with ground shipping tends to save you the most money, as long as you drop it off a few days before you head ...