Dear Heloise: In order to attend college, I had to take out loans. I graduated this year, and I’m currently about to start my master’s program. In my chosen field of work, my career will be very interesting and exciting, but it won’t make me rich. Since I have to repay my loans, I’m worried that I won’t ever get ahead in life while I’m strapped to a huge debt. Is there any kind of relief for student loan debt? — Chad R., Berkley, California

Chad, I recommend you go to StudentAid.gov and and see what can be done. You might be eligible for an income-driven repayment (IDR) loan, but check there first. Your monthly repayment might depend on your discretionary income. Not all loans can be switched to an IDR loan, but you won’t know until you investigate all the possibilities of debt assistance. — Heloise

SEND A GREAT HINT TO:

Heloise@Heloise.com

LOST LUGGAGE

Dear Heloise: With so many people traveling this year, I’m sure that there will be some lost luggage. Instead of putting your name and address on the luggage tag, put your name and business address on there. If your company allows it, it is a much safer way to have your luggage returned to you.

I put my business address on my luggage because I have a babysitter at home who looks after my twin boys. I just feel that it’s safer for my family this way. — Courtney W., Hammond, Louisiana

Courtney, this is a good hint. Here is another: Put your identification into your digital camera if you have one. Take a picture of your business card, or write your name and phone number on a piece of paper and take a photo of it. I offer a reward, too. This makes it a lot easier to get my digital camera returned if it gets lost. — Heloise

VACUUM-SEALED DOCUMENTS

Dear Heloise: I have an automatic vacuum sealer for storing food, but I found another great use for it. I’ve sealed inside of it all of my important documents, such as birth certificates, my marriage license, etc. These are stored in a locked filing cabinet.

About five years ago, I started to do this in case of flooding or a fire. At the time, my brother and his family lost all their documents in a flood. — Tiffany P., Harrison, Tennessee

Tiffany, if fires, flooding or tornados are a serious threat in your area, then a bank safety deposit box might be the safest place for your documents and other valuables. — Heloise

FREEZING FRESH CORN

Dear Heloise: Can I freeze fresh corn? — Dawn D., Falmouth, Maine

Dawn, yes! The next time you cook corn on the cob, cook an extra dozen ears. It doesn’t take too much time to cut the kernels off the cob. Before you know it, you’ll have a bag of cooked corn in the freezer that only needs to be reheated and served. — Heloise

MOLDY CHEESE

Dear Heloise: How can I keep cheese from growing moldy while it’s being stored in the refrigerator? — Linda Z., El Paso, Texas

Linda, you need to double wrap the cheese, especially hard cheese. Lay out a piece of tin foil, then a piece of cling wrap on top of the foil. Place the cheese in the center and wrap it up tightly. This way, you’ve double-wrapped the cheese, and it will last for weeks. — Heloise