Dear Heloise: My small bathroom always seems so messy. There’s stuff all over the counter, no one puts things away and I’m always embarrassed when someone has to use our facilities. Have you got any hints for me? — Stacy K., New York Stacy, first everyone has to be on board with ...

Ask the Fool Payout Ratios, Explained Q: Can you explain payout ratios? — M.W., Bradley, Illinois A: A company’s payout ratio is the percentage of its earnings (net income) that’s paid out to shareholders as dividend income. For example, PepsiCo’s trailing earnings per share (EPS) ...

DEAR DR. ROACH: I have a pink rash of only three spots on my upper, inner left arm with skin sensitivity and some pain in the area. A couple of weeks ago, it was a paler rash, with less defined spots and discomfort that felt like there was glass there. I am a female in my 70s and have had both ...

DEAR ABBY: A friend of mine from college (I graduated four years ago) is incredibly kind but terrible at keeping in touch. She has never been good at responding to texts, but now that we no longer live in the same area, we don’t communicate. When she invited me to her wedding, I was ...

Dear Annie: I have a beautiful daughter in her mid-20s. She is attractive, bright, friendly and hardworking. She has so much going for her. She does have a peculiar bad habit: She picks her nose in public. It’s not just a quick pick when no one is looking. This is a thorough deep cleaning ...

Dear Car Talk: I travel on a busy, dangerous, three-lane highway in our area. I like to drive in the right lane at 70 mph. People continually pass me, so it’s safe to assume they’re speeding. If there’s an emergency vehicle on the shoulder, my state law dictates that I move to the ...

Dear Annie: About six months ago, my boyfriend, “Jordan,” relocated to another state for work. We’ve talked about my eventually moving there, too, so we could be together, but we’ve held off making firm plans. He says he needs more time to settle in to life there. He also says he wants ...

Dear Heloise: I see so many people driving with their dogs sitting right next to them, sometimes called “riding shotgun.” This cannot be safe. Am I right? — Concerned Canine Commentator Concerned, you’re correct to be concerned. The dog must be properly re-strained in the vehicle. In ...

DEAR DR. ROACH: There is much information about the spread of COVID germs from coughing, sneezing, speaking, etc. However, I have not seen anything about two other ways that could also spread the germs. Could you please address these in your column? 1. Spitting: My husband (and many others) ...

Ask the Fool Fixed Income vs. Equity Q: What’s the difference between “fixed income” and “equity income” funds? — O.M., Binghamton, New York A: They’re both mutual funds — or similarly structured exchange-traded funds (ETFs) — that aim to deliver income to shareholders. ...

DEAR ABBY: I am a 72-year-old divorcee. I live alone in a 55-and-older community where I have many friends and an active life. My three adult children are ages 37 to 43. The eldest lives out of the country with my 12-year-old grandson. My other son and his wife live 2,000 miles away and have ...

Dear Car Talk: I have a 2005 Saturn Ion with 127,000 miles on it. It’s in very good condition for its age. However, about a year ago, I was driving it at about 25 miles per hour when the power steering indicator warning light (“PWR STR”) and the chime warning sound came on and the power ...

Dear Annie: I’m a 39-year-old mom of four. My husband recently passed away, in April of this year. His family was never very kind to me when he was alive, and they haven’t changed now that he’s gone. I’ve been dealing with their judgment and hostility. They find any little thing they ...

DEAR DR. ROACH:I read your recent response to a question about the efficacy of brain supplements. You note there is a paucity of published data, and that there is “no consistent evidence” that supplements help, except perhaps vitamin E. Fair enough. However, the lack of data may indicate ...

DEAR DR. ROACH: About a month ago, I had pain in my chest, so I went to the emergency room, where I was admitted. My blood pressure was in the 200 range, and they did an echocardiogram and a stress test. Both came out negative, but the cardiologist did an angiogram, and they found out that I ...

Dear Annie: I have been with my husband for almost nine years. We have been married for three years. His family was nice to me before the wedding, but after, they became aloof. His daughter is horrible. She has NO respect, not even for my husband. My husband has a lot of money — a few ...

DEAR ABBY: I am a single father of three wonderful kids. When my wife and I separated, we agreed to 50/50 custody and a property settlement. Everything went smoothly. A year later I requested, and was granted, full custody of my children. Their mom has visitation, but that’s it. Shortly ...

Q: We’ve always been open with our teenage son about the fact that we adopted him at birth. But recently he’s become almost obsessed with the topic — and especially his birth parents. If he gets upset, he shouts that we aren’t his “real” mom and dad. This is devastating to us; we ...

Dear Heloise: My dog really likes bananas. Are they OK for him to eat? — Leigh A. in Oklahoma Leigh, bananas actually are an OK snack for dogs. Bananas are rich in potassium and high in fiber. A delicious snack for man or dog? A banana bite with a small amount of peanut butter! A ...

DEAR DR. ROACH: Two years ago, I received the high-dose flu vaccine at my doctor’s office. It resulted in a severe case of SIRVA bursitis in my shoulder. I suffered for three months, taking Tylenol after getting two shots of steroid from my orthopedic surgeon and physical therapy. Since then ...