Remote reader helped them see the light with suggestion

Dear Heloise: I read the column about the reader who lives in a hilly, wooded area and the dilemma of an ambulance finding a house in that kind of area. We, too, live in a remote, wooded area, on a lake.

After having a heart episode our first year out here, it dawned on us that if it had not been daylight, we would have had the same problem, because there are no streetlights of any sort out here, and it is hard to read the numbers on the mailboxes at night.

I decided to keep a strobe light in the closet, at the front door, and if we ever again have a problem, it is handy to put on the porch, where we have an outlet. There would then be no problem seeing us at night! Diana, via e-mail

How smart of you to be prepared, just in case. Thanks for writing. Heloise

Dear Heloise: Most people write down their Internet usernames and passwords, despite the risks. To make this safer, create passwords that are combinations of an easy-to-remember word and number. Write down code words, rather than the actual password. For example, if your daughter’s married name is Stacy Smith and you grew up at 1234 Elm Street, make your password “Stacy1234,” but write down “SmithElm.” Brian, via e-mail

Dear Heloise: Here’s a hint that saved me from carrying all my hotel, air-miles and store-discount cards in one wallet. I entered the numbers into my cell phone under a new contact entry titled “points.” In the notes section, I entered the types of points and the corresponding numbers.

When I check out, all that’s needed is the number, not the actual card. As a man, this saves having an oversized wallet and makes sure I get credit each time for my points purchases. Sean Binkley, Kingston, Ontario, Canada

I, too, get tired of toting all those cards! So I typed them all on a 3-by-5-inch card and just show that. Heloise

Dear Readers: Here are two good hints from Anita F. Eisenstein of Columbus, Ohio:

When you have a catalog purchase that has been delivered in one of those gray plastic bags and the purchase has to be returned, turn the bag inside out, and it then can be easily readdressed.

A beauty operator had a suggestion for me when I complained that spraying my hair with hair spray made it so stiff. He told me to spray it on my hand and then go over my hair. I found this quite helpful.

Dear Heloise: I found a use for a can of potato chips. My husband still polishes his shoes, so I store shoe polish and rags inside the can. Now he has his supplies ready to polish away. Rachel, via e-mail

SBlt Send a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000, or you can fax it to (210) HELOISE or e-mail it to Heloise@Heloise.com.

King Features Syndicate