Heloise, syndicated columnist

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 keeping the bathroom tidy. Nothing left on the floor; caps put back on products. All towels hung up, wipe mirror and sink after use and throw out old cosmetics. Use a shower caddy for bath and shower time; throw away expired medicine. Get rid of soap slivers, nearly empty bottles and dried up nail polish. Use drawer dividers to keep things tidy and easy to find; use a shoe bag as extra storage and hang it on the back of the bathroom door. — Heloise

THE WRONG MEDICATION

Dear Heloise: I have to take several medications, but I’ve gotten confused at times and taken the wrong meds. I took a sleeping pill before I went to work and nodded off at my desk. How can I keep these meds straight? — Laura W., Valley City, N.D.

Laura, take the bottles containing the nighttime meds, and with a red marker, draw a crescent moon on the label. Place those bottles together in a cabinet or drawer. Take your daytime meds, and with the red marker, draw a smiley face, but place them in another cabinet, separate from the nighttime meds. — Heloise

EDITOR’S NOTE: Send your great money-saving or timesaving hint to to Heloise at P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, Fax to 1-210-HELOISE, or email to Heloise@Heloise.com. She can’t answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in her column.