Dear Heloise: Times have changed so much in regard to weddings, but common sense sure shouldn’t change. How on earth would someone think about having a wedding and expect the guests to pay for it? This is insane! If you can’t afford the wedding, cut down the guest list — and I don’t mean cutting down on relatives! You cut down the guest list of people you work with and those who are just friends. The majority of these people will change over the years. Relatives will always be relatives!

Change the place where the reception will be held, and don’t expect guests to attend a destination wedding. It is way too expensive! Weddings have gotten way out of hand, starting with the wedding dress! — K.N., via email

STEEL WOOL PADS

Dear Heloise: I just read a letter in one of your columns where a person would cut steel wool pads in quarters or halves to save on waste. A better way is to always buy a good brand name because they last for so much longer. When you’re finished with it, and it is wet, put it in a sandwich bag and put in the freezer.

Once it is out of the freezer, you can rinse it in hot water so that it’s ready to use again. Otherwise, it will rust and will need to be thrown away. — Marge, in Columbus Grove, Ohio

AFRICAN VIOLET CONTAINER

Dear Heloise: There are special containers for African violets. Usually, it’s a smaller container for the plant that is placed inside a larger container, which is then filled with water. — Janice Gibb, via email

LOCK IT UP

Dear Heloise: Please let homeowners know to keep their home locked during a garage sale. Thieves can take advantage of the busy homeowner, walk into the home, and help themselves to items in the home. The thieves can even work in pairs or teams to make sure that you are distracted. — Diane M., via email

FEEDING THE BABY

Dear Heloise: I’ve found that feeding a baby in an upright position (for as much as possible) enables the bubbles at the bottom of the stomach to rise with greater ease when you burp the baby. Then you can massage the infant’s back rather than patting to bring on a burp. — Paige, in Missouri

LESS IRONING

Dear Heloise: I’ve discovered that if you take your sheets out of the dryer as soon as they’re done and make the bed with the warm sheets, they iron themselves. You won’t have to fold them either, which will save you time and effort.

This applies to knit tops, too. Take them out of the dryer and hang the garments up immediately; the wrinkles usually fall right out. No need for ironing! — Gracie W., in Meridian, Mississippi

PET PAL

Dear Heloise: Here are a few photos of Pippin, our doggy. — Anne Anderson, via email

Readers, to see Pippin and our other Pet Pals, go to Heloise.com and click on “Pet of the Week.”

Do you have a furry friend to share with our readers? Send a photo and a brief description to Heloise@Heloise.com. — Heloise

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.