DEAR HELOISE: I found a really great website: www.futureme.org. The idea is simple: You write yourself a letter in the form of an email that can include anything, really -- goals you want to achieve, bad habits you want to leave behind, health goals you have, family and career aspirations, whatever you want to accomplish.
Future Me will then email you your letter in either one, three or five years. It's perfect for reflection and attainment. The basic service is free, but you can make a donation to the site if you'd like. You can also choose to post your letter publicly but anonymously to help others.
-- Jennifer T. in Virginia
DEAR READER: That's a fabulous idea to inspire and innovate. Best wishes.
DEAR HELOISE: I always make a photocopy or at the very least take a picture with my phone of any checks that I mail off.
-- Hector V., San Antonio
DEAR READER: With tax season right around the corner, this is a great idea. Thanks for the letter.
DEAR HELOISE: One group of people that has been often left out of the conversation of people needing comfort and consolation as the result of covid-19 are the millions of men and women locked up in county jails and state and federal prisons.
Due to close confines, too many deaths among inmates and correction officers have occurred nationally, and family and friend visitations are canceled.
So, if you know of an incarcerated person, write and/or allow him or her to call collect. It is said that more than 75% of most inmates have little to no outside contacts; let's change that status.
Thanks, Heloise. I think your readers will respond well to this.
-- Mike, via email
DEAR READER: Your email is an interesting one. People need hope, and if someone has made a mistake and hurt someone, they should serve time for that, but we shouldn't write that person off completely. People can and do change, and healing and forgiveness can go a long way.
Reaching out to people in prison is a good project for groups to research.
DEAR HELOISE: To get wax out of a wax warmer in one swoop, I place an empty toilet tissue holder in the wax when it is in liquid form. Then I let the wax cool and harden. The wax will cling and congeal around the cardboard holder and come out in one wiggle.
-- Sarah D. in New Mexico
Send a money- or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000; fax to (210) 435-6473; or email