I don't mention it as often as I should, but the truth is I'd be lost without you, my loyal, encouraging and responsive readers. Thank you for being there every day and filling my inbox with comments, questions and outpourings of love and gratitude. Please don't stop. Ever.

Speaking of questions, let's take a few from the audience.

Q: I am having a problem cooking with my slow cooker. I got a new one, and now everything, even pot roast, is turning out dry! Any ideas on what I'm doing wrong?

A: Slow cookers cook at a much higher temperature now than they did, say, 20 years ago. It is due to food safety concerns, but in reality, and in my opinion, that has taken the advantage of the slow cooker away — for working families to start meals before work and come home to tasty, properly cooked food even if it's been cooking for eight hours or longer. All too often, results are mushy, dry and flavorless.

Things to try: Opt for the low setting whenever possible. Instead of boneless skinless chicken breasts, use bone-in chicken. Select cuts of meat that have more fat instead of those that are super lean. Reduce cooking times, too. Instead of six to eight hours, check after two to three hours. If possible, use the size slow cooker called for in the recipe you're following.

By the way, I've recently all but given up on slow cooking because I've fallen in love with my Instant Pot Multi Functional Pressure Cooker, which at this writing costs about $100. I can do in 15 minutes what used to take six hours in a slow cooker. And the results are off the charts (and never dry).

Q: I just got a new washer and dryer. Do I have to use laundry detergent that is labeled "HE," or high-efficiency, like the salesman advised? And why?

A: Yes! High-efficiency clothes washers use less than half the amount of water as a standard machine. Too much detergent will clog up the machine because the amount of water it uses is not sufficient to rinse it out. That build-up can cause the machine to malfunction and eventually create an offensive odor — and void your warranty.

Q: I need a recipe for homemade grout cleaner. Do you have one? Thanks!

A: Mix liquid hydrogen peroxide with baking soda and a few drops blue Dawn to make a thick paste. Spread it onto the grout and let it sit for about an hour. Scrub the grout with the scouring side of a sponge to remove the dirt. Wipe or mop away the paste.

Q: My daughter is on my checking account in case I get sick and need her to take care of things. If I were to die unexpectedly, would she be responsible for my credit card debt?

A: No, she will not be responsible personally unless she is also an account holder on your credit card account. However, your estate (the money and assets that remain upon your death) is responsible to pay that debt. If you die leaving money in the account on which she is an account holder, those funds will most likely be tapped to satisfy your debts before anything is distributed to your heirs. You'd be wise to consult an attorney who specializes in estate issues to learn more.

Thanks, everyone, and keep those messages coming!

Mary invites questions, comments and tips at [email protected], or c/o Everyday Cheapskate, 12340 Seal Beach Blvd., Suite B-416, Seal Beach, CA 90740. This column will answer questions of general interest, but letters cannot be answered individually. Mary Hunt is the founder of www.DebtProofLiving.com, a personal finance member website and the author of "Debt-Proof Living," released in 2014. To find out more about Mary and read her past columns, please visit the Creators Syndicate webpage at www.creators.com.