Heloise

Dear Heloise: I read the letter about counting change and thought I’d give you my experience. For many years, I requested that teachers in our district teach students two things: how to count change back and how to measure items with a tape measure. In 40 years, I’ve had to teach every employee both, regardless of their ages, which range from 15-60. My grandchild, whom I raised, was the only student in her school who knew how to make change. Sadly, it just isn’t taught.

It’s a very simple but necessary thing to learn. Cash registers and calculators can make mistakes — and often do. — Pat W.G., via email

Pat, there are some subjects that have been dropped from our schools, and I would like to see them reinstituted. However, school boards feel that these subjects aren’t needed, so they’re gone from the curriculum. I don’t know when or why geography was removed, but I know from talking to teachers that many students can’t identify where the Middle East is located, or where the state of Kansas is located on a blank map.

I was very lucky that my mother taught me to make change before the first grade, and geography was one of my favorite classes in middle school. Teachers and parents, please write to Heloise@Heloise.com as to what you’d like to see schools do to improve the education system in America. — Heloise

UTENSIL TRAY REUSE

Dear Heloise: I’ve found that utensil divider trays are wonderful for junk drawers and makeup drawers. They keep small things separated and organized. The tray I use for makeup is also great for my toothbrush and toothpaste. It’s better to store these in a drawer or cabinet than to leave them out where dust and sink particles can touch them. — Debbie C., in Bixby, Oklahoma

BACK IN MY DAY …

Dear Heloise: Back in the 1960s and early ’70s, I worked for my dad in his family-owned grocery business. There were no electronic scanners or machines to crank out the change. Everything was done by hand, including punching in the prices on a cash register, counting the change, and counting back the change to the customer. We started with pennies, then nickles, and so on, counting out loud to the customer.

It isn’t difficult, but these days, I imagine that it’d take some training and practice to learn the “art” of counting back change. We also had to memorize all the sale prices, as they weren’t “computerized.” I loved working for my dad. Thanks for stirring up the memories! — Nancy B., via email

PET PAL

Dear Heloise: This is our new addition. After we lost our cat, the house was quiet. Now we’ve adopted another cat who’s 6 months old, and she’s brought new life to the house. She’s very friendly, loving and young. Boots is her name. — Cheryl, in Manchester, New Hampshire

Readers, to see Boots and our other Pet Pals, go to Heloise.com and click on “Pet of the Week.”

Do you have a furry friend to share with our readers? Send a photo and a brief description to Heloise@Helo- ise.com. — Heloise

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.