Readers of the Heloise column have been sharing their helpful hints and tips for making life easier. One reader, Mike D. from Indiana, shared his method for keeping a neck tie intact by loosening it just enough to remove it and then hanging it up on a tie rack.

Key Fob Hint

Cheryl M. from Omaha, Nebraska, shared a tip for using an extra key fob as a safety device. She keeps the extra key fob on her nightstand and if she needs help, she can press the alarm button to alert her neighbors.

Platform Bed Base

Jeanne from Minnesota shared a solution for getting in and out of bed with a thick mattress. She replaced her standard bed frame and box spring with a platform base, which eliminated the need for a box spring and reduced the overall height of the bed.

Reducing Plastic Use

Mary D. shared tips for reducing plastic use, including using bar soap, shampoo, and conditioner, and buying dishwasher tabs and laundry detergent in paper or cardboard packaging.

Freezing Milk

Mary G. from California shared a tip for freezing milk to make it last longer. She buys a quart of milk and freezes half of it, which freezes well and can be used later.

Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.