DEAR SARA: I can’t believe I’m about to ask this question, but how do you bake potatoes? My mom used to make them, no foil or anything like that. Just poked some holes and popped them in. Quick, easy, no fuss, no muss. — Amy B., via forums

DEAR AMY: I don’t use foil on my baked potatoes. Using foil causes a potato to steam and taste somewhat boiled versus baked. I simply wash and scrub a russet potato, pat dry, poke holes into it with a fork, oil the skin and season with kosher salt. I bake it in the oven on a baking sheet for an hour at 400 F. Once baked, I slit the center, squeeze the ends and it pops open. If you’re used to wrapping them with foil, you’ll notice a difference in the potato’s texture. No foil and you’ll have crispy skin and a fluffy potato.

DEAR SARA: How do you figure out the price per ounce (or other unit)? In other words, the math equation needed to figure it out. We need to use it, and we need to teach our kids about it, but no one can explain it. I use to know, but now I can’t remember. Help! — Kim, Oklahoma

DEAR KIM: An example: Stuffing is sold in different size boxes. Let’s say the 14-ounce box is $2.60, a 20-ounce box is $3.50 and 2-pound (32-ounce) box is $5. The unit price is the price per ounce. To figure the unit price, divide the price by the number of units. So you have $2.60/14, $3.50/20 and $5.00/32 (ounces). Now simply compare the unit price per package and see which costs less. You’ll be surprised how often the larger package isn’t always the best buy per unit.

DEAR SARA: I am making an apple dessert in my slow cooker.The directions say 1-1/2 to 2 hours on high. Any idea how many hours if I cooked on low? — Debbie, via e-mail

DEAR DEBBIE: The high temperature is about half the amount of cooking time as it is on low. For your dessert, you would cook it for three to four hours on low. Keep in mind when using your slow cooker that some foods don’t cook well on low. Macaroni and rice, for example, are best cooked on high so they don’t get mushy.

DEAR SARA: I was wondering what to do with gift cards that I don’t want. We received a lot of gift cards for Christmas, and there are two that I don’t really want. One is for pizza, and we never eat there, and the other is a store that goes against my principles. — Sarah U., Massachusetts

DEAR SARAH: These were given to you as gifts, and you’re free to do what you want with them. You’re not stuck with them. You can swap or sell them online at places such as Swap a Gift (www.swapagift.com) and Certificate Swap (www.certificateswap.com). Although these Web sites charge a small fee, keeping cards for an extended period of time increases the chance they’ll go unredeemed. Many stores go out of business or change ownership, too. You shouldn’t feel guilty, but if you can’t bring yourself to trade them, consider donating them.

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