Dear Heloise: Is there something I can do with eggshells besides throwing them in the trash? It seems like such a waste of good calcium. — Louise in Iowa

Louise, I agree. Why not put those calcium-rich eggshells to good use? First, we’ll need to sterilize them. Rinse the shells then place them on a cookie sheet and bake at 250 degrees for 10 minutes. You don’t want to brown them, only thoroughly dry them. Crush the shells and then sprinkle them in your garden to add calcium to the soil and to deter slugs and snails.

To ensure our feathered friends get the much-needed calcium in their diets when nesting, mix the crushed shells with the birdseed in your feeder or just sprinkle them on the ground; the birds will find them. — Heloise

TECH TALK TUESDAY

Dear Readers: Here’s a hint to keep your phone contacts organized. When saving a contact, enter their name, address, title and the company they work for.

Saves time by putting all the information you need about a contact in one location. — Heloise

WIRE YOUR OWN MASK

Dear Heloise: I read your advice about how to add a wire to a mask by using a pipe cleaner. I use a twist-tie, the kind that grocery stores provide for tying vegetable bags.

I just cut a tiny hole in the top center of the mask, slip in the twist-tie, and use a few stitches to sew it in and close the hole. — Rhona B., Silver Spring, Md.

PICTURE THIS

Dear Heloise: Since everyone has a camera on their phone, you no longer have to rely on the word of a roofer or plumber when they tell you that you need something replaced.

Ask them to show you a picture. Watch them take a photo, and they can show you right away the problem they say they can solve. — Marcie, via email

PACK AN EXTRA

Dear Heloise: As a new mom, when packing the diaper bag, I’ve learned a few things. My favorite hint is to carry a fresh blouse or T-shirt in the bag for me! Babies can get upset tummies, and that can lead to a big mess. The problem is lessened when I can change clothes while still out and about. — Megan R. in Florida

Megan, congratulations on your new baby! Sounds like you’ve learned from experience. Readers, what special or unique items do you pack in the diaper bag? — Heloise

NIGHTLIGHTS

Dear Heloise: We have three nightlights in our home to guide us through the house in the event that we have to use the bathroom, etc.

Living in a rural area, if there’s a power failure, it’s very dark. Solution: We bring in the three outside decorative solar lamps and place one in each bathroom and one in the kitchen. Problem solved. — Leo L., Greenville, N.H.

Leo, that’s an excellent idea and a handy way to get double use out of your solar lamps. — Heloise

BUTTERFLY LASHES

Dear Heloise: I use false eyelashes, but only the individual lashes, not the strip lashes, and just on the outer corners of my eyes. That’s plenty, and they open up my eyes nicely. — Tara in California

Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001, or you can fax it to 1-210-HELOISE or email it to Heloise@Heloise.com. I can’t answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.