Dear Readers: Today's Sound Off is about Social Security.-Heloise
"Dear Heloise: Recently, on the news, I heard a politician refer to Social Security as an 'entitlement program.' I find this annoying because it sounds as if the government is being 'generous' in giving back the money I and others worked so hard for to ensure we had retirement income. Now, there's talk of reducing Social Security and even Medicare, which doesn't cover enough as it is right now.
"For many Americans, Social Security does not keep up with the rising cost of food, utilities, medical care and housing, but at least it's better than nothing. However, 'nothing' is what I worry the government wants to give retired Americans. Perhaps that's why so many people are working well beyond retirement age."-Don K., Crown Point, Ind.
FAST FACTS
Dear Readers: Here are some new uses for a single earring when the matching one is lost:
- Break off the post and hot-glue it to a plain gold or silver ring, and you have a new piece of jewelry.
- Use as a lapel pin.
- Suspend it from a necklace or bracelet.
- Glue several single earrings into one piece of jewelry to make a unique pin.
-Heloise
GROUT CLEANER
Dear Heloise: How can I clean my bathroom grout and not damage the grout?-Ava B., Kirkwood, Del.
Ava, mix 1/4 cup borax, 1/2 cup baking soda and enough hot water to form a paste. Apply to the grout, scrub with a soft brush and let sit 15-20 minutes before rinsing. This is just one of several homemade cleaners you'll find in my Homemade Cleaning Solutions pamphlet. To get a copy, send $5, along with a stamped (71 cents), self-addressed, long envelope, to: Heloise/Cleaners, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001. Or you can order it online at Heloise.com.-Heloise
DUSTING POWDER
Dear Heloise: Please tell your readers to use cornstarch instead of dusting powder. Cornstarch is the basis for dusting powder. My mother used it all her life and on all 12 children in our family. Love your column!-Roberta G., Terre Haute, Ind.
A number of people are allergic to the perfumes used in dusting powder, and this is a practical and inexpensive alternative to commercial dusting powders.-Heloise
DISHWASHER DUO
Dear Heloise: Why do some dishwashers have two soap dispensers while others have only one?-An N.C. Reader in Charlotte
The second soap dispenser is for heavy dish loads, when your dishwasher is full to maximum capacity, or for heavily soiled dished and pans.-Heloise
King Features Syndicate