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 out the door. Most hotels will accept packages for guests, but it’s a good idea to call and check a hotel’s policy first. I always put my name and arrival date on both the inside and outside of the box, in case the label gets damaged.

Using tracking is helpful, too. You walk right past baggage claim, dodge annoying fees, and breeze through the airport with nothing but a carry-on!

• Heloise

DEAR HELOISE: Can flour or leftover dough clog plumbing when cleaning up after making sourdough?

• Donna B., via email

Donna, keep flour and dough away from your plumbing. A mix of water, flour and dough creates a sticky paste that hardens and clogs drains. Always scrape bowls and utensils into the trash or compost by using a spatula or a paper towel before rinsing. Afterward, wash items in warm, soapy water.

Avoid rinsing large amounts of flour down the drain, even with a disposal, as I’ve experienced total clogs firsthand. A few seconds of scraping saves you from costly plumbing repairs.

• Heloise

DEAR HELOISE: I love finding ways to save water! You don’t need to fill up your sink when you only have a few dishes. Here is a smarter way to wash them that saves water and soap: Take your biggest bowl or pot and fill it with warm water and a little bit of dish soap. Use this pot as a small sink to wash all the other dishes in. This trick uses much less water and soap, but your dishes still get clean!

This method is best when you just have a few dirty dishes and don’t want to run the big dishwasher. It also makes cleaning up faster. Saving a little water and soap each time helps conserve our planet’s resources as well.

• Don W., in Omaha, Nebraska

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.