Now, Here’s a Tip: Better days ahead, just follow these tips

“ Two weeks (or more) before school begins, we start getting up at the regular school time (so we’ll be well-prepared to get up on time by the time school actually starts) and reviewing, whenever possible, the previous year’s materials. We try to make it fun by doing quizzes at dinnertime and awarding special privileges for questions answered correctly. — G.V. in California

“Whenever I shop for groceries, I look for buy-one-get-one deals or really reduced prices on things I already need. I buy in bulk on those items, sometimes even returning to the store the next day to get another shot at it if there’s a limit. — C.C. in Georgia

“Use filtered tap water for drinking, and don’t buy plastic bottles. If you do buy one, reuse it — as much as possible. Less plastic equals less waste, and less waste makes a better planet.

“Let Grandma and Grandpa read the kids to sleep once in a while! My husband and I — proud grandparents several times over — made DVDs of ourselves reading favorite books (with a little help from a technology-savvy kid in our neighborhood). We had copies made for each of our children. They can pop in the DVD and let their kids watch us reading books before bedtime. It makes us feel good to be able to help out, and it’s a way we can stay connected with the grandkids. — L. and D.C.

“If you have a problem with foot odor, try soaking your feet once or twice a week for 15 minutes in a shallow basin of warm water (enough to cover the soles and toes) to which you have added two Alka-Seltzer tablets. Dry carefully afterward.