DEAR HELOISE: Whether it is a spare ketchup bottle, ...

... a garlic powder spice container or a box of crackers, everyone usually has that "extra something" in their pantry waiting to be used and moved to the front of the kitchen cabinet.So, when I buy more than one of something, I put a rubber band (I keep a small bag of them in my drawer) around the item that is in use. When I run out of said ketchup, I know not to put it on my grocery list and instead use the spare one from my pantry that will be expiring later on in the year.I have used this new system of mine for over five years now, and it has come in handy so much that I just wanted to share it with you. Hope it works for you! Amy Snyder,Marshalltown, Iowa Dear Heloise: May I offer one more letter regarding the danger of driving with an unrestrained dog in your car? In 1977, my then-32-year-old sister was a passenger in the back seat of a friend's car on the way to a Fourth of July celebration. She was sitting at a slight angle and talking with the other young woman in the back seat when an oncoming car suddenly swerved head-on into their lane.Since neither car was going at a high speed, the crash did not appear catastrophic at first. The driver of the other car had bent down to pick up one of her two dogs that had jumped onto the front floorboard of her car, causing her to swerve. However, my brother-in-law ended up suffering a laceration on his nose, and my sister bumped her right temple against the metal trim of the seat in front of her.Everyone got out of their respective cars to exchange information. In a matter of minutes, my sister became disoriented and shortly lost consciousness.By the time authorities were notified, an ambulance dispatched, and the transfer to a local hospital completed, my sister suffered extensive brain damage due to intracranial swelling. She was transferred 50 miles away to a trauma center where a large portion of the front right lobe of her brain was removed.She passed away two years ago at the age of 77, having lived the remainder of her life as an invalid. She became blind in her right eye and was partially paralyzed. She needed full-time care for the duration of her life. Her three children had to be raised by other family members after her husband left because "she was no longer the person he had married." A tragedy that impacted generations could have been avoided if two small dogs had been restrained in their vehicle. Cindy A.,Athens, Texas Dear Heloise: When it comes to recycling items, they must be cleaned first. When it comes to recycling plastic bags, newspapers and packing wrap padding, the local Salvation Army and antique shops really appreciate both paper and plastic bags, as do other secondhand shops. They also appreciate cardboard boxes of various shapes and sizes. Most of it can be reused. Pendy Selking,Decatur, Indiana Dear Heloise: I use dry shampoo on my wool-lined slippers. I spray the inside, let it dry and then fluff them with a dry paper towel. They come out dry, fluffy and smelling great. L.H.,via email Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise@Heloise.com