Dear Heloise: For the past 50 years, I have kept pairs of socks together by using safety pins. I don’t know where I read this tip. It could have been in a “Hints From Heloise” column since I have been a Heloise follower since forever. — Annette H., via email

Annette, yes, this is an old Heloise trick, and many have told me that it was a simple but very effective method to keep their socks from getting lost. I’m glad to know that it’s still being used. — Heloise

RESEARCHING CHARITIES

Dear Heloise: Several years ago, I donated some inherited money to several charities, choosing ones that I thought my relative would have supported. Now my mailbox is flooded daily with requests for more donations, as my information was sold or shared between organizations.

You recently published a hint regarding Charity Navigator’s reviews. They also offer a giving basket! Donations can be made to your chosen charities, and you can choose to withhold your private information this way. — Nell M., via email

Nell, so many of my readers say the same thing about suddenly getting requests for help from various charities after making one donation. Just pick the ones you want and ignore the others. Our wallets can only stretch so far. — Heloise

SELF-SERVE SOUND OFF

Dear Heloise: Why are so many jobs disappearing? I went to a local car wash yesterday, and for $25, they have large rollers that clean the exterior of the car. But they have stopped cleaning the interior! There were no attendants who hopped inside to wipe down the interior.

This self-serve service is getting out of hand. I don’t mind paying a little extra to have people do a simple job, but all the places have done away with people who did a decent job for a fairly small wage. — Lindsey M., in California

Lindsey, it’s a new world. The newspaper boys are gone, self-serve restaurants are springing up everywhere, and finding a salesperson in a department store can be difficult. The cost of doing business has increased dramatically and has forced business owners to cut expenses where they can. Change is inevitable, but we’ll all adapt eventually. — Heloise

INDUCTION COOKTOP CORRECTION

Dear Heloise: I read with alarm the letter written by Doris M. on induction cooktop safety. It was way off the mark on its conclusion. Induction cooktops only emit magnetism for about 1 inch from the pot/pan that sits atop them. Standing 2 feet away is recommended. It completely eliminates the risk to people with pacemakers. Placing one’s chest closer than 2 feet to a hot pot/pan is unwise with any kind of cooking. I read your column in the Star-Ledger. — Michael I., in Hillsborough, New Jersey

TAKING OFF PLASTIC LIDS

Dear Heloise: My hint is if you can’t get a plastic lid off, run it under very hot water, and it will come right off! I read your column in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and enjoy it every day. — Leslee J., in St. Louis

PALMER WRITING METHOD

Dear Heloise: Was anyone taught the Palmer method of writing? I was. And as a teacher, I had to adjust it so that my students who didn’t know cursive could read my writing. If you have never seen it, look it up. It is a beautiful script. — Hilda H., in Henrico, Virginia

Hilda, this is very interesting. I had never seen it before, but if my readers have, please let us know here at Heloise Central. — Heloise

SEND A GREAT HINT TO:

Heloise@Heloise.com