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Héloïse’s advice: get the last bit out of almost empty bottles, drive in bad weather, etc.

Umito November 16, 2024

HOW TO OPT OUT OF MAILING LISTS

Dear Héloïse: I read with interest Julie G.’s letter from Tucson, Arizona, about being inundated with letters from charitable organizations. My mother, God rest her soul, received “begging letters” from all the religious charities and, unfortunately, gave money to many of them.

When she died, I thought writing “deceased” on the envelope and putting it back in the mailbox would solve the problem. This was not the case. I asked my postal carrier about this. It stated that unless the item is sent to you by first class mail, it will not be returned to sender. It will be dropped off at your post office. Most solicitations are sent by bulk or third class mail, so the post office is not required to return them to the sender.

If I now (after three and a half years) receive something addressed to my mother, I open it to see if there is a stamped envelope inside. If so, I write a note on the return form and send it back to them: “Mrs. Please update your records. So far it seems to have worked! – Kathie Hook, New Cumberland, Pennsylvania

WOMEN PUSHING CARTS

Dear Héloïse: I wanted to write another response to the reader who was outraged by women pushing their own shopping carts. Since his retirement, my husband is often with me at the market. But pushing the cart helps support my recently replaced knees and wobbly back. This allows me to wander the aisles with my list, while he goes in search of the perfect hot sauce or a new imported beer.

Honestly, it reminds me of being at the market with my kids when they were young! (Except this one lifts heavy objects.) — Sally Miller, Belmont Shore, California

ALMOST EMPTY BOTTLES

Dear Héloïse: I keep several bottles of my favorite lotion at home. When it gets so low that it won’t come out of the pump, I remove the lid and place it in my microwave for 30 seconds at a time until it becomes very “watery”. It pours easily into another bottle and when cooled it has the same consistency. And then I recycle the empty bottle! — Pat M., by email

DRIVING IN BAD WEATHER

Dear Héloïse: I’m what most companies call a “road warrior” because my job requires me to travel in all kinds of weather conditions. I usually travel by car, so I like to be prepared in case of bad weather.

If any of your readers are traveling by car in snowy weather, I highly recommend bringing a well-insulated sleeping bag (to stay warm), bottled water, food and energy bars, a battery-powered radio, flashlights and reading material. It could save their lives. — FC, Pennsylvania

PET PAL

Dear Héloïse: Here’s a photo of our very opinionated cat, Zara. She is 13 and helped us raise three dogs, who quickly learned that Zara was in charge. — Karen Kirkpatrick, by email

Readers, to see Zara and our other Pet Pals, go to Héloïse.com and click on “Animal of the week”.