Dear Heloise: Hey there. I wanted to write in with two hints from a boy in Illinois.

My mother lives alone, and I’ve asked her to turn on the front porch light when she goes to bed, then turn it off when she gets up. I’ve asked the neighbors to check on her light. If it’s still on around 11 a.m., I ask them to please call her and check in on her.

The second thought is: When I make the grocery list, I memorize it and leave it in the car. It’s great practice for the brain. Last time I did this, I only forgot two items. — Keith Filges, via email

AFTER-SCHOOL SNACKS

Dear Heloise: I have a very clear memory of being 7 or 8 years old and heading to my friend’s house after school. Her mother served us carrots and apples slices as we played a game on the floor. I loved it. It was simple and good for us. It remains one of my fondest memories of childhood.

One day, when I was visiting my hometown years later, I passed my friend’s house and saw her mother outside. So, I stopped by to say hello. She was quite elderly by then. I recounted my story of the apples and carrots and how much I enjoyed them as an after-school snack. She beamed and thanked me as she also remembered these special times. — Ellen Shapley

QUICKER STICKERS

Dear Heloise: I have a compost heap in the backyard. Beyond the grass clippings and leaves, we also put in vegetable scraps, coffee grounds and fruit. The problem with the fruit is that every apple, banana and orange has a plastic label on the outside. The plastic label will not break down in the compost heap.

What I would love to see is all of these plastic fruit labels replaced with biodegradable ones. Biodegradable labels would break down. — Gordon C., in Corona, California

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.