HELPFUL HINTS

DEAR HELOISE: I wonder how mail to a deceased person gets handled by the post office. Does someone have to notify the post office? Do they then stamp all firstclass mail “deceased, return to sender,” and how long does junk mail keep coming to a dead person?

— G. Lee, Lady Lake, Fla. DEAR READER: According to the U.S. Postal Service (usps.com), a relative of the deceased person who shares the same address can open the mail and deal with it as necessary.

To forward a letter to an appointed executor (an executor must go to the post office and confirm that he or she is authorized to manage the deceased’s business), mark through the address neatly, print “Forward to:” and print the executor’s address legibly.

As for junk mail, the Data & Marketing Association has a “Deceased Do Not Contact” (DDNC) list. Register the deceased’s name at www.DMAchoice.org. Within 90 days, the superfluous advertising should lessen.

DEAR HELOISE: I do internet shopping and find a lot of merchandise is shipped in sturdy plastic bags.

I save a few assorted sizes for reuse. I turn them inside out, hiding all shipping labels, and use them for shipping anything unbreakable. A few staples and wide tape, and they are ready to send.

— Lu S. in Florida.

DEAR HELOISE: My husband sells personal products for home-bound people. The question he asks a family member when they walk into his store: “What can I show you that you don’t want to talk about?” This helps the family with their new situation.

— Ginny R., Lexington, Ky.

DEAR HELOISE: Why is it that seniors are so often referred to as “senior citizens”? After all, we do not refer to a baby as a “baby citizen,” nor a child as a “child citizen,” nor an adult as an “adult citizen.”

Now that I am a senior, I find the term even more distasteful. Am I the only one?

— Sandy A., Kentucky

DEAR HELOISE: I installed an instant hot water circulating device, with the timer set to waking hours, and I have hot water right away with no waste. The timer makes sure it stays economical. It’s cheap, and my brother installed it for me.

Love your column and the great contributors.

— Terri, via email 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 Heloise@Heloise.com

HELOISE