Dear Heloise: If you or a family member are referred by your doctor or dentist to another physician for treatment, be sure to ascertain whether the new doctor participates with your insurance carrier. Exorbitant costs could be incurred for which you are responsible.

— B., via email

CAREFUL CARRY-ON

Dear Heloise: I would like to remind travelers who have carry-ons that it’s considerate to be aware of others around you. It’s frightening to have someone turn suddenly in the aisle, and you are face to face with a big bag or backpack. Or to be seated when someone is wrestling with a bag that barely fits in the overhead.

Be thoughtful, and everyone’s trip will be more enjoyable!

— C.M., in Pennsylvania

HIDDEN SUGARS

Dear Heloise: Instead of putting brown sugar in my oatmeal, I stir 1/4 teaspoon of molasses into the pan during the final minutes of cooking. I get all the flavor I crave without the added sugar.

— D.S., in League City, Texas

D.S., the good news is that molasses is low in saturated fat and sodium. It’s also a good source of vitamin B-6, potassium, magnesium and manganese. The bad news is that a large portion of molasses’ calories come from sugar. Calories in molasses are about the same as sugar, but molasses contains about half the sucrose as sugar.

— Heloise

MINI TRASH CAN

Dear Heloise: I have a trash drawer in the kitchen. Rather than opening it all the time for small items like tea bags, I keep a container, usually a 48-ounce sour cream tub, as a mini trash can. I keep it in the sink and empty it, and I wash it in the dishwasher periodically.

— D.D., in California

MEATBALLS ON ICE

Dear Heloise: After making a batch of meatballs, my mother-in-law would place them on a cookie sheet so that they were not touching each other. She would freeze them on the tray overnight. The next day, when the meatballs were frozen solid, she would place them in a plastic bag and return them to the freezer. When cooking dinner, she took out as many as she needed for that meal. I use the same method for things such as chicken, sausage, etc.

— Sue D., in Troy, New York

HAIR-WASHING PROTOCOL

Dear Heloise: As I get up there in years, I find myself washing my hair less and less. It has become shinier and even thicker!

— Helen, in Ohio

Helen, I concur! The natural oils in our hair can mean stronger and healthier hair. Wetting the hair makes it expand and contract, which can cause damage and breakage. Overly washed hair that is naturally dry can lead to frizz. Experts agree that washing hair less frequently is best. Dry shampoo can help between shampooing to remove excess oil from the scalp.

P.S. Believe it or not, the detergent in shampoos can actually trick your hair into producing more oils, so frequent washing can be counterintuitive.

— Heloise

Send a great hint to Heloise@Heloise.com.