Dear Heloise: Should I hold on to the original sets of boxes for collectibles like crystal and figurines?

-Laurel B., via email

Laurel, you should only keep old boxes if they help you. Some items, like crystal or small statues, are worth more money if you still have the original box. Having the box is helpful if you want to sell them or give them as a gift later, but having too many empty boxes can fill your closet with clutter.

You can try to do a little of both by keeping boxes for items that are very special or worth a lot of money. You can throw away boxes for things that you want to keep forever. To save space, you can fold the boxes flat or put them all in one big bin. When the boxes start to take up too much room, then it's time to get rid of them. Cleaning out a few boxes now will save you from having a big mess later.

-Heloise

SMART STORAGE FOR MATS

Dear Heloise: Baking mats are thin, but they can still be hard to store. They often slide around or get lost in a messy drawer, but there's an easy way to keep them neat. I put two strong clips on the inside of a kitchen cabinet door, then hang the mats so that they stay flat. This method keeps them from getting wrinkled or bent. You won't have to roll them up or dig through a drawer anymore.

One of my friends tried this and loved it. Now their mats stay hidden and are easy to find. Hanging the mats helps them keep their shape so that they last longer. This simple trick helps you stay organized and saves space in your kitchen.

- Sherrill, in Virginia

GAS TANK RULE

Dear Heloise: When kids start driving the family car, there's one easy rule to help things go smoothly. Make a rule that the car must always come home with a full tank of gas. This rule teaches kids how to be responsible without the effort of a long talk. It also makes it fair for everyone who uses the car. No one likes to start the car and see the gas light blinking, especially when they're late for work or an event!

Parents can also ask kids to throw away their trash and report any car problems right away. One parent said that this rule became a normal part of their day. These small habits teach kids to respect the things that they share with others. And it saves time and money for the whole family!

-- Kelly E., in Arkansas

SILENCE IS GOLDEN

Dear Heloise: In response to Naomi L., in Oklahoma, regarding scam callers wanting our personal information, I just don't answer calls from anyone I don't know or anyone who isn't in my contact list. I figure that if it's important, they'll leave a message. I don't want them to know that the number belongs to somebody who answers the phone.

-- Susan, via email

Susan, this is probably the best way to handle scam calls. However, I've gotten letters from readers who claim that they rant at the callers as a way to release tension. I don't advise this method. Stay silent, and after a while, they should stop bothering you.

-Heloise

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