When washing your hands with soap and water, do your hands feel "slimy" after you've rinsed them? Or when it comes to cleaning clothes, do you have to use more laundry detergent than you have in the past? This might be a sign your tap water is too "hard." When you have "hard" tap water, it means there's a buildup of minerals like calcium and magnesium. And while hard water is not necessarily bad for you, it could be an indication there are things like aluminum, manganese and lead in your water, and you should have your water tested for safety.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

In grocery stores, when certain items like beans, pasta and rice are in high demand, try to do one thing: Avoid food items that are marked as "WIC" eligible. If you can afford to purchase non-WIC items, you're leaving available items that are eligible for purchase by people who are on federal assistance. If WIC items are sold out, people on nutritional assistance might have to go home empty-handed.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

When buying whole grains and flour, the general rule of thumb is this: Choose inventory that has a good "sell by" date and has no smell or odor whatsoever. If it smells musty or oily, it's likely rancid and should not be purchased or used. When storing, keep it in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. Or, if you want to store it for long-term use, place it in the freezer. A freezer will double the shelf life of the grain or flour (oats, for example, last four months in a pantry and eight months in a freezer) and also keep it away from small insects.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION