Dear Heloise: Here’s a hint for those who have more jewelry than storage space and end up with tangled necklaces or earrings that get separated from their matching “mates.” This took a bit of time, but here’s what I did:

First, I sorted through all of my jewelry and matched necklaces with earrings, bracelets and pins. Then I put these matching pieces in a plastic baggie. I did the same for bracelets or earrings without matching necklaces. I continued this process until all of my matching jewelry pieces were together in baggies.

If I had numerous bags of the same jewelry color, I placed all of them together in a larger baggie. Now I can easily grab a bag with the jewelry that I want to go with my wardrobe for the day. Happy sorting!

— D.S., in Fort Wayne, Indiana

RESTAURANT LEFTOVERS

Dear Heloise: My husband and I eat out often and usually bring home leftovers, but I bring a small tote bag with several plastic containers and use them for the extra food. It is easy to pop them into the refrigerator when we get home. Not using the restaurant’s styrofoam to-go containers takes up less space in our refrigerator, and reduces waste.

— Donna, in Iowa

HEAVY PET FOOD BAGS

Dear Heloise: I have always bought large (and economical!) bags of pet food, potting soil, etc. After celebrating 77 birthdays, handling 25- to 40-pound bags became difficult for me. So, I now ask someone at the store to load the heavy bag into my car, and when I get home, I separate the contents into bread bags (or other similar-sized plastic bags), then carry these into the house and garage.

Not only are the smaller bags lighter to move, they are also easier to dispense things from.

— Pamela S., Prairieville, Louisiana

TEACHING HOUSEHOLD SKILLS TO CHILDREN

Dear Heloise: In a recent column, I read the recommendation from the reader about mothers teaching their sons basic household skills. This should also be done for daughters.

I once roomed with a young lady after college whose mother did everything for her at home. My friend thought she could eat something for dinner and put the dishes in the sink, and somehow magically they would be washed. She thought the floors would magically get swept, too. Her mother did her no favors.

— Sandy, via email

MEATLOAF LIKE MAMA’S

Dear Heloise: With five boys, I have some very large meals to make, so I usually make two meat loaves. Of course, like most people, I crush soda crackers or add another type of filler in the meat loaf, but my mother-in-law told me years ago to add 1-2 raw eggs and 2 tablespoons of olive oil to keep the meat loaf from drying out.

The boys love meat loaf, but the ones they’ve had at so many other places have been terribly dry (or so they tell me). Well, it must have been a favorite with the men in this house because my oldest son is getting married in June, and he asked his future bride to get the meat loaf recipe from me!

— M.B., in Nebraska

Send a great hint to Heloise@Heloise.com.