Dear Heloise: About eight months ago, my husband and I decided that we spent too much on lunch every day. With the rising costs of dining out, it was now making a sizable dent in our budget. I consulted your book “Heloise From A to Z” and got a lot of ideas on how to make our lunches healthier for less money. Best of all, we can control the portion size and fat content, and we can leave the temptation to eat dessert behind us.

I easily put together a salad in a clean yogurt container, and I use only healthy bread and/or homemade soup, which can be reheated in a microwave. The results were great. Not only did we spend a lot less, both my husband and I lost weight! At my last annual checkup, my blood pressure had dropped significantly.

Thanks for all your hints, Heloise! — Gracie & Robert M., Tampa, Florida

REFINISHING AN

ANTIQUE DRESSER

Dear Heloise: I refinished a beautiful antique dresser that had once belonged to my great-great-grandmother. It was purchased just before the Civil War began.

Needless to say, over the years, it’s gathered a funky smell. The outside is stunning, and I love it, except for that strange smell. I’ve tried a couple of things, such as placing the drawers in the shade outside for a day, but that didn’t do it. I wiped the insides of the drawers with a mild soap and water solution, but that didn’t work either. How can I get rid of that smell? — Lauren B., Half Moon, North Carolina

Lauren, try a mixture of half vinegar and half water, and wipe down the inside of the drawers. Be stingy with the mixture so that you don’t damage the interior. Then let it dry over night.

After drying, sprinkle some baking soda on the bottom of the drawers and cover the baking soda with a drawer liner paper. You might want to consider a scented paper. When you change out the drawer liner, vacuum out the baking soda; then add in fresh baking soda and new paper. — Heloise

GOT A KITCHEN TIMER?

Dear Heloise: Kitchen timers can be useful for many things. I use one to help lull my daughter to sleep for her afternoon naps. Since she does not have a cell phone, I limit her time with the timer.

When someone calls, like my neighbor who loves to chat, I also use the timer to limit the call. — Carrie H., Oberlin, Ohio