Dear Heloise: M.W. writes that securing her purse in a shopping cart with the child safety straps works “unless they also take the cart.” When I was young (a good many years ago), I was holding my infant son and looking at greeting cards. I turned around to discover that my cart was no longer behind me! We found it at the back of the market.

On this day, my husband (who was elsewhere in the store) had not yet given me his cash as he usually did, and there were no credit cards. (This was a long time ago.) So, the thief only got an empty wallet from a small diaper bag, complete with a dirty diaper. But since this day, I have never put my purse in the shopping cart.

Here are my solutions to finding my wallet in my purse: I either use a small cross-body or a sling bag that is easy to handle. If I need a bigger purse, I have a small card case that holds just one credit card in my pocket so I can easily access it.

I also once left my wallet on the shelf of a pay phone (as I said, a long time ago), so now I use a stretch cord to fasten my wallet to my purse when I use a bigger purse. Although I make it a point never to lay the wallet on the market counter, on occasion I need two hands. But this way, I have never lost another wallet.

P.S. I read your column in a digital paper called the Corvallis Gazette-Times. — Leslie Ann, in Aiea, Hawaii

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PASSWORD IDEA

Dear Heloise: I have an idea to help people with their passwords. Use an address as your password — but not your own address. For example, I use the address of my first apartment, which was where I lived nearly 20 years ago. You could use the address of where you grew up or where a relative lives. Just make sure no one else knows the address. — Jim S., in Hattiesburg, Mississippi

STOP, THIEF!

Dear Heloise: Years ago, a woman was shopping in a grocery store, and a man ran passed her; as he ran, he grabbed her purse and kept on going. She screamed, “Stop, thief!” The guy nearly made it outside, but the exit doors opened slowly, and he ran into one, knocking himself out.

The woman was me! I used a shoulder bag back then, but now I use a cross-body bag. No one has tried to steal my purse since then. — Maggie G., in Newark, New Jersey

NONPERISHABLE FOOD

Dear Heloise: I don’t know where else to go for a list of nonperishable foods. My husband wants to stockpile additional supplies, and we need a list of foods that will last for a long time in storage. — Lorraine B., in Dubois, Wyoming

Lorraine, you can simply type in “foods that last for a long time when stored” in the search bar of a computer. Or you can check out this website: TasteofHome.com/article/long-term-food-storage-staples-that-last-forever/.

Foods such as rice, dried beans, honey, salt and dried seaweed have been found in ancient burial sites and were still edible. (Not that you’d want to eat them!) One key factor is where you’re storing these items. A cool, dry place is usually best, which rules out basements and attics. — Heloise

HOT SUMMER DAYS

Dear Readers: During these hot summer days, it’s always wise to take a child or pet with you instead of leaving them in a hot car. Or you can leave them at home while you’re out and about. Even if you’re only going to be gone for a couple of minutes, it’s never a good idea to leave a child or a pet in your car on a hot day. — Heloise