Dear Heloise: Periodically, my husband and I “play” guests in our own house by using the guest bedroom and bathroom. This has led us to upgrade the bed by adding a mattress pad and a heated mattress cover. We’ve also decluttered the tops of dressers, emptied out the drawers and closet, and added empty hangers.

In the bathroom, we fixed a slow tub drain and added hooks near the tub and on the back of the door. Additionally, we stock the vanity with essentials, such as toothbrushes, toothpaste, shampoo, etc. I read your column in the Colorado Springs Gazette. — Coastal Girl, via email

REVOCABLE

LIVING TRUST

Dear Heloise: My sister had a Revocable Living Trust, and when she passed away, it was so easy to settle her estate. I took my notice about being her trustee and had no trouble settling things expeditiously.

I remembered that she once told me that she had sent a Christmas card to a friend each year and, for three years, never got a response. Finally, someone wrote her to tell my sister that her friend had passed away three years ago. So, when my sister passed, I went through her address book and Christmas card list and drafted a letter. I bought some pretty stationary with roses on it, and my daughter-in-law printed it up so that I could send it out.

I was amazed how many people sent me letters thanking me for letting them know. I enjoy reading your hints in the Orange County Register. — M.M.R., Buena Park, California

Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001, or you can fax it to 1-210-HELOISE or email it to Heloise@Heloise.com.