Helpful Hints

DEAR READERS: It's Census time, when the formal count of the population of the entire United States is taken.

So why is it important to know the population? Simply put, while every state has two Senators, the Census determines the number of seats each state will have in the House of Representatives, based on a state's population. And the Census can help determine dollar distribution for government programs.

What questions will be asked? The number of people living with you, their ages, races, national origins, genders and their relation to you. You also will be asked whether you own your home or rent it. Don't worry; your information is protected.

By now, you should have received something in the mail about the Census; don't ignore it -- by law, you must participate. You can respond online, by mail or by phone. If you haven't responded, the Census Bureau will send someone to your home beginning in May. For more information, visit www.2020census.gov.

DEAR HELOISE: Every Tuesday morning when I put out the trash, I look up and down our street in Chatsworth, California, and the trash bins are overflowing with empty cardboard boxes!

Is there any way they can be recycled? Perhaps the companies could have a place where the boxes can be returned? What are your thoughts?

-- Joe D., via email

DEAR READER: This is becoming a real issue, and companies are stepping up to find solutions. The biggest online commerce company is attempting to recycle more of its shipping containers and cardboard boxes.

In one program, they are asking their customers, when donating household items and clothing to charities, to place the donations back into the cardboard boxes. They are even providing pre-paid shipping labels to ship the boxes to big charity houses.

To get involved, search "Give Back Box Program" on your computer.

DEAR HELOISE: Think about it: A sport utility vehicle (SUV) doesn't have a trunk, so there are fewer compartments in which to conceal personal property -- merchandise, laptops, luggage if you're traveling, etc. Get in the habit of not leaving valuables in plain sight, especially if it's in an SUV.

-- Mike in Texas

Send a money- or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5000; fax to (210) 435-6473; or email

[email protected]

Style on 03/31/2020

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