Dear Heloise: I wanted to write in regarding using newspaper in the sink to catch vegetable peelings so that they don’t go down the drain or disposal. Many people no longer get a physical newspaper, so I have started saving various substitutes for this purpose, such as the bags inside cereal boxes, large envelopes that bring items in the mail, and even cereal boxes themselves.

All can be cut to lay flat and catch peelings as well as other debris for composting or trash disposal. — A Tennessee/Texas Reader, via email

TIP FOR PRESCRIPTIONS

Dear Heloise: After a heart attack expanded my prescription use dramatically, my memory surrendered. No way I was remembering all those pills, times and doses! So, this tech-savvy Grandpa created a cloud spreadsheet.

I used Google Drive, but there are other options. I listed all my medications’ brand names, technical names, dosages, times of day to be taken, and any comments (the past dosage, “this one makes me gag,” etc.). Now, all this info is with me whenever I have my phone, which, like most of us, is all the time.

I can share the sheet with others or bring it up on my tablet or laptop when I’m filling my weekly pillboxes. Plus, at every single doctor’s appointment, they ask which meds I’m taking, and I just bring up the sheet on my phone.

Incidentally, I prefer the seven-day pillboxes that are color-coded and include a slot for each time of day. I don’t mistake the time of day as easily, and they fit in a quart-sized zip-close bag for travel.

I read your column in the Dayton Daily News in Ohio. — Mitch Tayse, in Tipp City, Ohio

SHREDDED PAPER USE

Dear Heloise: I have another use for shredded paper. You can use it as a replacement for kitty litter if you happen to run out. Also, when your cat has had surgery, the vet usually suggests not to use regular clay-type litter for a week or two. I’ve done this several times, and it works well. — Michelle Balk, via email

FRESH BREAD

Dear Heloise: I have a suggestion for people who can’t seem to keep their bread fresh. I do not use the heel piece. I take the first heel piece out, then take the slices of bread I need.

I then place the heel back to keep the air from getting to the rest of the interior pieces of bread. My bread has lasted for much longer after starting this routine, and I hope it helps the rest of your readers. — Your Friend K.G., in Newport, New Hampshire

USING OUR RESOURCES

Dear Heloise: Troy S. asked about foods that had fiber. You recommended searching the internet or a bookstore, but another good place for information, usually at no cost, is your local public library. We have moved away from this excellent resource, and with budget issues, we are likely to lose them if we aren’t using them. — N.D., in Albany, New York

PIMENTOS INSTEAD OF PEPPERS

Dear Heloise: Lately I’ve been finding a lot of recipes that use one or two peppers from a jar of roasted red peppers. The rest usually go to waste. Instead, I just use a small jar of pimentos, which are basically the same thing. No waste at all. — Susan R., via email

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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.