DEAR HELOISE: Apparently, there’s truth to the saying, “You’re never really too old to learn new things.” Several months ago, at the tender age of 77, I learned that I’d been purchasing the wrong type of toilet paper for decades. I accidentally purchased a no-frills, plain ol’ roll of single-ply toilet paper versus the multi-ply, quilted, super-soft stuff that I’d bought for years. Here’s what I found out:

For our household of two, a single-ply roll costs less than $1 and lasts for eight full days. The quilted rolls, on the other hand, cost more than $1 and barely last for two days. That’s right — the single ply lasts four times as long and costs far less than its quilted cousin. Equally important is that there’s absolutely no difference in comfort and efficacy when using the single-ply roll.

— Richard Y., in West Linn, Oregon

Richard, according to my research, as single-ply roll of toilet paper can last up to 18 days for a single person — or possibly 4.3 days, assuming that there are five bathroom visits per day. For a household, a two- or three-ply roll can last for 1-2 days. Of course, the major factor is the number of people in the household and how many squares are used.

I use single-ply because my plumber told me to only use single-ply. He said that he saw more clogged pipes with thicker paper.

— Heloise

DEAR HELOISE: I hope this hint will help other readers. I love having different themed garden flags on my fence on a dropdown rod. When the flags aren’t in use, I can just fold the rod up. Unfortunately, on very windy days, the flag would sometimes come off the rod. I tried using a safety pin and trying other ways of keeping it on the rod, like wrapping the flag around it. But nothing worked until I finally tried clipping the flag with a small regal clip. Now I just clip it on the middle of the rod, and there’s no more wrapped or lost flag. Love your column!

— Gena, in Little Rock, Arkansas

DEAR HELOISE: My family and I love French toast, and we love chocolate as well. So, once in a while, I’ll make French toast and add some chocolate syrup into the egg dip for the toast. My husband loves it when I also mix some chocolate syrup with the maple syrup and drizzle it across the toast before serving it. If I happen to have some whipped cream on hand, I’ll add a scoop on top. It looks fancy and tastes great!

I was trying to remember where I learned this trick, and I think it was from one of your books. Am I correct about this?

–Alvina R., in Boston

Alvina, yes, you’ll find it in “Heloise From A to Z,” along with many more useful hints.

— Heloise

SHREDDED PAPER DONATION

Dear Heloise: Anni recently wrote about using shredded paper to soak up grease. Check with your local animal shelter, as many love to have shredded paper to use as bedding for small animals, in litter trays, etc. I read you daily in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. — S.M.T., via email

Send a money-saving or time-saving hint to Heloise@Heloise.com. I can’t answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.

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