Helpful Hints

DEAR HELOISE: I recall reading about a place to send outdated coupons that can then be used by our soldiers at PXs overseas. Can you give that information again, please?

I have people at church saving them. I can't find the address and specifics.

-- Helen F.,

Prairietown, Ill.

DEAR READER: Coupons can be used by service members and their families to shop at the Post Exchange or commissary.

There are groups and clubs all over the U.S. that have individual programs, so check with your Chamber of Commerce.

Here is just one for you: Overseas Coupon Program at ocpnet.org. The website has all the information you need: the kinds of coupons accepted, which bases accept them, how to get started, etc.

The FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) section is a perfect place to learn about the program.

DEAR HELOISE: I recently moved my computer to my bedroom, and I am not a "tech-savvy" person.

To be sure I hooked up the cables correctly, I took pictures of the hookups with my phone. I videotaped myself talking about the connections between the monitor and the tower.

Once in its new location, I was able to walk myself through the process of hooking up my computer correctly and in working order. Thank you, cellphone!

-- Alyssa M., Asheville, N.C.

DEAR HELOISE: With a dear aunt in a nursing home who sometimes doesn't recall much, I've found a way to cheer her up. I live across the country, so I get to visit her only once a year.

Last year, I started sending her postcards. It's easy to jot a cheerful note and let her know where I was when I bought the card. She keeps them in a basket next to her bed, and loves to go through them at any time.

Now I pick up all sorts of postcards when I travel and send at least two a week. She must have close to a hundred by now.

-- June in Ohio

DEAR READER: A few lines on a postcard can brighten a day.

DEAR HELOISE: My passion is knitting. To save "mental energy" that requires remembering where I left off when I return after taking a break, I purchased the same-size knitting needles in two different colors. I use one color for the odd rows and the other color for even. Now I don't have to remember which row I am working on.

With the extra needles, I can have two projects going at the same time, or use them to help others learn how to do a particular stitch.

-- Paige M., via email

Send a money- or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000; fax to (210) 435-6473; or email

[email protected]

MovieStyle on 04/22/2016

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