Dear Heloise: Please tell the reader who was asking that you can purchase single bedsheets on Amazon. You can buy them fitted and/or flat, as well as by the bed size. I recently did this myself, and I was happy with the product. I’m a fan of your hints! — Rachelle R., via email

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Heloise@Heloise.com

SHOPPING SOUND-OFF

Dear Heloise: It was the week before Christmas, and I was shopping at a large, well-known retail store where they only had one register open and a line that was the length of the entire store. Then retailers cry because they are losing business to online shopping. Well, Mr. CEO who makes millions, here is why:

I can order from an online store and often get it the same day. I don’t have to spend time looking for a parking space. I don’t have to search all over the store for things. I don’t have to stand in long lines to check out because you don’t want to hire more employees. I can relax at home instead.

So, stop your crying and stop trying to please your investors. Try pleasing your customers instead! — Shirley C., in Gardena, California

Shirley, winter is, as we all know, the cold and flu season. This past Christmas, there was a terrible flu strain that swept across this country and lasted for a longer time than usual. Many companies had problems with staffing due to so many of their employees calling out sick. It may seem easy to just hire temporary help, but many people don’t want a temporary job. Or they were sick and simply didn’t want to work.

Having said that, management should be aware that customers often don’t complain; instead, they’ll just never go back to a particular store. Surely there was someone somewhere who could take the job — but not for minimum wage. Standing on your feet for hours and waiting on customers who can’t find what they want is not an easy job. Let’s hope stores learned their lesson this winter. — Heloise

INDUCTION COOKTOP SAFETY

Dear Heloise: Mercy G. wrote in regarding how induction cooktops may be a safer alternative than electric. It should be noted that people with pacemakers should not use these since the magnetic field in these can affect their device. They should check with their physician before purchasing one. — Doris M., via email

STINKY LITTER BOX SMELL

Dear Heloise: If any of your readers have tried everything but still can’t get rid of the smell of a stinky litter box, they should take their cat to the vet for a thorough exam. I never had a problem with a litter box smell from my two cats until last year, when I took in my brother’s elderly cat after he became unable to care for her.

The smell of urine from her box was so strong that you could smell it two rooms away through a closed door. The vet diagnosed her with urinary crystals and kidney disease. Once we got her on the right food and medication, the smell was gone within a few weeks. I love your column. — Sandra G., via email

COOKING FOR ONE

Dear Heloise: I cook for myself, and I’ve learned some shortcuts. I cook a 1-pound bag of rice in my cooker. When it’s done, I scoop up a 1/2 cup of rice into a snack bag and seal it. Then I place several of these into a freezer bag and place them in the freezer.

When I want rice, I remove one bag, open it a little, and microwave it for 1 minute. It comes out hot, fluffy, and ready to eat. I enjoy reading other people’s ways to save time and money. — Phyllis F., via email