Dear Heloise: People often write about lost cellphones and how they recover them. I have a message on my home screen that says: “If you find this phone, please call [my husband’s phone number].” He has the same message on his home screen that lists my phone number. This way, if someone finds our lost phone, they can call the number and reach one of us to return it. — Vickie S., Chester, Virginia

SEALED JARS

Dear Heloise: Why do food companies make it so hard to take the seal off of food jars? They are glued tightly all the way around the tops of the jars. They often don’t have much of a tab to grasp, so one has to puncture the seal with a knife. It is rarely possible to get it off cleanly. I appreciate the safety, but there has to be a solution that is easier to open and still secure. — John M., aka Uncle Johnny, via email

SAVINGS BONDS

Dear Heloise: Here’s a reminder for your readers: United States savings bonds stop gaining interest after 30 years. If you or your children have some tucked away, check their issue dates. It might be time to turn them in. — John Q., via email

ATHLETE’S FOOT

Dear Heloise: Cracked heels that don’t respond to moisturizing is frequently a symptom of athlete’s foot. — Steve H., via email

Steve, cracked heels can be a sign of a number of things. It’s best to consult with a doctor to see what can be done if your heels never seem to heal. — Heloise

DRYER SHEET TIPS

Dear Heloise: As mentioned in your column, don’t use dryer sheets to clean your dryer filter. It leaves a film on the filter, which will clog it. Also, don’t use them when drying towels for the same reason. It makes them soft but coats the fibers and makes them less absorbent. — Jim B., A Faithful Reader, via email

BUDGETING HINT

Dear Heloise: My husband died without any life insurance, and there was only $5,000 in the bank. I was stunned but determined to make a go of things. We had been very comfortable when my husband was alive and perhaps spent too easily. However, with just my salary covering our costs, now I’m careful with every expenditure.

I decided to sort of play a game with myself when tempted to make a purchase. I asked myself, “Do we really need this?” “How will this benefit my daughter or me?” and “Can we get along just fine without this item?”

I know this might sound rather joyless, but for now, it’s keeping my daughter and I on a budget that just won’t budge. It’s keeping us out of debt. — Meg A., in Southfield, Michigan

Meg, it sounds very practical and smart. Every head of the household should have some life insurance if everyone else is depending on them.  I’ll add that every wife needs to know what the couple has in the bank, as well as investments and insurance policies. She needs any and all passcodes, and each husband and wife need to discuss their wills with each other.

Secrets in a marriage have a way of ruining the trust that couples share, especially in matters of finance. — Heloise

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Hints from Heloise run occasionally in Lifestyles. Readers may send a hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000, fax it to 210-HELOISE, or email: Heloise@Heloise.com. Letters won’t be answered personally.