Dear Heloise: My kids and grandkids are all grown-up, so now I use the baby seat that is included in store shopping carts for my purse. For extra security, I put the baby seat belt around the straps of my purse since I’ve seen news stories about thieves stealing purses from shopping carts. I feel safer knowing that my purse is buckled to the shopping cart. Thanks for a great column! — J.M., in Lincoln, Nebraska

J.M., actually, some thieves work in teams. One person takes your attention away while another takes your purse. I know it must feel safe for you to use your method, but the best way to keep your purse from being taken by thieves is to wear a cross-body purse and keep it on your person while you’re shopping. — Heloise

SEND A GREAT HINT TO:

Heloise@Heloise.com

A GREAT GIFT HINT

Dear Heloise: Years ago when I had six siblings with spouses, my mom, and two nieces to buy Christmas gifts for every year, we started drawing names for the adults, buying a $50 gift for our chosen recipient.  After realizing that we were all going crazy trying to find the perfect gift for someone who didn’t really need it, we decided to put each of our $50 (or more) into a pot, and we selected a few charities and/or needy people to donate this to.

With this many people, the amount of the pot is quite substantial, and we’ve been able to assist many people and organizations over the years. — Veronica P., Sagamore Hills Township, Ohio

ACID-FREE PAPER

Dear Heloise: I read with concern the letter from Gail W., in Montana, about storing precious handmade baby garments. Tissue paper is very acidic and causes yellowing as it ages. I think what she meant to say was to use acid-free tissue paper. I’m not sure what the purpose of the blue tissue paper is.

A quick search of Google will confirm this information and provide specific information about storing precious clothing for the ages, or it might give one a resource to contact. — Priscilla W., via email

Priscilla, I asked a few people I know about the blue tissue paper and was told that many people feel like the blue tissue is just one added layer of protection against yellowing. A few others believe it also wards off insects, but I store items in acid-free tissue paper without the blue outer paper and have had no problems with yellowing. — Heloise

SQUIRREL INTRUDER

Dear Heloise: A number of years ago, a squirrel came to my window looking so thin, so I put out sunflower seeds. This continued for a while, but I wanted to give a warning! When I stopped putting seeds out, the squirrels ran on my fence and roof acting crazy!

One day, a squirrel broke through the screen in my kitchen, rampaging everything around it. It was very scary, but fortunately, he found his way back out. And the next day, another squirrel (or maybe the same one) broke into a second window in my kitchen. I think it’s best not to feed animals that live in nature. — Judith S., via email

Judith, I feed my squirrels a couple of times a week and have had no problems with them causing trouble. However, I don’t feed them every day so as not to make them dependent on me for food. I’m sorry that you had a problem with your squirrels. I hope they’re behaving themselves these days. — Heloise