Dear Heloise: Following the death of my husband, our family was writing out thank-you notes and ran into some issues of not being able to read the names that were signed on the cards or in the guest register. We also had problems with not having the sympathizer’s addresses and not being able to cash checks. Here are some suggestions we came up with for your readers when they sign guest books and give cards with memorial donations: — Please print your name and address in the guest book. When you drop a card in the box or send it in the mail, put one of your return address labels on the “blank” or left inside of the card, along with a note of what your memorial contribution was and the group it should be donated to.

— If you write a check, please make it out to the “family of [the name of the deceased].” It is not always easy for the deceased’s immediately family to cash a check if it is written out to another family member.

These suggestions can also be used for birthdays, weddings and anniversaries. Thank you! — Recent Widow, via email POSTCARD WELL WISHES Dear Heloise: I read your column in the weekend edition of the Telegraph in Alton, Illinois. My hint is an addition to the letter about sending postcards.

For our daughter’s high school graduation, we had a table with different types of postcards on it.

We asked each guest to write her a postcard and addressed the postcards later when we knew her college dorm assignment.

We drop some in the mail each week. All year long for her freshman year, she has gotten mail and well wishes from friends and family back home. Thank you! — Joannie Dougherty, via email EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS Dear Heloise: When the lights go out for whatever reason, people search for candles and matches.

I have streamlined this process at my house by putting a tea light and a small box of matches into short, squat, cleaned-out jam jars. This way, everything is in one container, and the jars provide draft protection so the flame doesn’t blow out.

Also, wax can’t drip on anything since the tea light is inside the jar. I have given these to friends and used my label machine to put “Be prepared!” on the jar.

Keep up the good work!

I read your column in the Spokesman-Review. — L. Russell, in Spokane, Washington VEHICLE REGISTRATION Dear Heloise: I read with interest the letter from A.H., in Kansas, and wanted to offer some thoughts. Having lived in California and Colorado, there are high rates of car theft. Consequently, we have always thought that keeping the automobile registration in your glove compartment or anywhere else in the car is a bad idea.

If the car is stolen, the thieves now know where you live and know that you are not home as they just stole your car. Perhaps a better idea might be folding your registration card in with your driver’s license and keep it all in your wallet.

Just thoughts on how to stay safe. Thanks for your consideration! — S. Paget, via email (Send a money-saving or time-saving hint to Heloise@Heloise.com. I can’t answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.)

HINTS FROM HELOISE