Dear Heloise: As a money-saver for me, I use a vacuum sealer everyday to close packages of chips and brown sugar, as well as ingredients for recipes that go in the freezer so that I can close the openings and preserve their freshness. For example, as a senior citizen, I can buy larger packages of chips at a better price and maintain its freshness by closing the packages as I remove the items.

I also use a pair of scissors to cut open the tops to prevent the bags from being destroyed. — Hallie, in Virginia

READING HOUSE NUMBERS EASILY

Dear Heloise: In addition to packages getting delivered at the right house, how about when there’s an emergency at your home? It’s vital to have your house numbers clearly visible — even at night — for the police, fire department, and emergency medical services. It could mean life or death besides your packages going somewhere else. — Mike, in Mandeville, Louisiana

ADDING TO READER’S HINTS

Dear Heloise: A recent column of yours was very informative. Here’s how I can add to the suggestions:

— I’m going to try the method of checking car lights that Steve suggested. We try to make it a point to check them on the first of every month.

— The lady whose hearing aids ran out of power during the fire, submitted in the letter by Paul, is of great concern. I’m going to write my congressman and urge him to make it a law that each room should have a light that flashes during an emergency.

— There was an interesting comment about spinach, and your response included other vegetables with oxalates that are not often mentioned at the doctor’s office. The letter was submitted by Joan.

— I’m glad to read that ants don’t like vinegar (thanks to A.B.) and to get confirmation on orange yolks, too.

— I do believe you could list all the different and creative cheese-wrapping suggestions in your column for a week. I’ve tried many of them. — Marcy, in Menifee, California

ACCUMULATING KITCHEN FAT

Dear Heloise: When I cook bacon or roast chicken, I remove the fat and accumulate it in a jar in the fridge. I have screwed a small yogurt container to a wooden platform under my bird feeders, and during the cold months, I put the fat out for the birds. They all like it, including woodpeckers, blue jays, chickadees, cardinals, etc. I read and enjoy your column in the Kennebec Journal. — Bob D., in Midcoast Maine

HOMESCHOOLING THOUGHT

Dear Heloise: I just read a reader’s inquiry about a husband wanting his wife to quit her job to homeschool their kids, while the wife was ambivalent about the idea. With the husband being so passionate about the idea of homeschooling, perhaps he should be the one to quit his job and homeschool their kids.

If they can live on the wife’s salary, and maybe the husband can take up a part-time job to also contribute, this might “flip the script” and make more sense for the entire family. — Char W., in Ohio

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.

REPAIRING WINDOW SCREENS

Dear Readers: To repair a small tear in a wire screen, you can push the wire strands back into place with an ice pick. If you cannot close up the hole completely, sparingly brush clear nail polish or shellac across the opening.

After the sealer dries, reapply until the pinhole is sealed. Blot up any drips of sealer that run down the screen to make this a neat job. — Heloise

FORCEMEAT

Dear Heloise: I have my great-grandmother’s cookbook that was published in 1910. In one section, it briefly discussed “forcemeat.” I have no idea what that is. Do you? — R.C., in Washington

R.C., the word “forcemeat” is a very old term that is rarely used today. It’s seasoned stuffing that’s been finely minced, pounded, ground or combined in a food processor and cooked separately to be served with a garnish. — Heloise

PROTECTING CARD NUMBERS

Dear Heloise: I use clear office tape to cover the printed numbers on transit passes, gift cards, work-access fobs, badges, etc. These codes easily rub off often, and the tape provides the right amount of protection to keep the numbers legible for years. — J.B., in New York

REMOVING MUSTARD STAINS

Dear Readers: With spring and summer approaching, it will soon be time for outdoor barbecues and parties. Of course, hot dogs and hamburgers will surely be on menu. But the mustard that we love to slather on dogs and burgers may also drip and end up on our clothing.

If this happens, try to remove it as soon as you can. Dampen the areas and rub liquid laundry detergent into the stain. Rinse, then soak in laundry detergent and hot or warm water for several hours. It will be gone, and then you can launder it with enzyme detergent. — Heloise