Is there a coin shortage? No, it’s a distribution problem

Dear Readers: Surely you’ve noticed retailers posting signs about a coin shortage. It’s not really a shortage, it’s a distribution problem.

During these times of a global pandemic, some businesses have had their doors closed or have been limited in service for social distancing and stayat-home orders. Some of these include businesses that rely on coins (laundromats, car washes and even vending machines), and they have seen their revenue plummet. Therefore, there are fewer coins in circulation.

As the economy recovers, you’ll see more coins around and fewer signs stating, “We may not be able to make change for you.”

— Heloise

Tech talk Tuesday

Dear Readers: Are you getting more and more spam emails? The best way to cut down on them is to not reply, never buy anything and, in fact, don’t open them in the first place. Also, be sure to block them by marking them as junk or spam, or create filters to make sure they go to a spam or junk folder instead of your email box. Your volume of spam emails should decrease.

— Heloise

Greeting cards as bookmarks

Dear Heloise: I like to use greeting cards as bookmarks. It gives them another use, and you can re-read them and enjoy the sentiment from time to time.

— Lauren C., via email

Not who you think

Dear Heloise: I was looking through an online dating site (don’t judge me, lol.), and I happened to see my friend’s picture on a profile that was not his. Weird.

I told him about it, and he says he’s had that happen before. It’s not really dangerous, just creepy, invasive and misleading. Beware.

— Jenna in Arizona

Diary pocket

Dear Heloise: I hot glued a jeans pocket cut from an old pair of denims to the cover of my diary. I can keep a pen, pencil, ticket stub, receipt — anything I need — in that pocket.

— Sandra in Indiana

Send a money-saving or time-saving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795001, San Antonio, TX 78279-5001, or you can fax it to 1-210-HELOISE or email it to Heloise@ Heloise.com