Dear Heloise: I had a note for J.P., in Pennsylvania, and others who take their children to a mall. J.P. said she keeps photos of her kids in her phone. I suggest that you take a current photo of them in front of your parking area label. This way, you have a picture of the kids in what they’re currently wearing, and you also have a parking space reminder. — Sandi Marcus, Laguna Woods, California

CRAZY PEANUT BUTTER SANDWICH

Dear Heloise: I wanted to write in regarding the wild and crazy ideas for peanut butter sandwiches. When I was 10 years old, I would laugh at my uncle’s sandwich. He forced me to taste it, and I have eaten it ever since. He put mayo or Miracle Whip on one side of the bread and peanut butter on the other, then layered hamburger dill slices on the peanut butter and added lettuce. It’s surprisingly good! — Brenda Davis, in San Antonio

FACE CREAM SUBSTITUTE

Dear Heloise: In a recent column that appeared in our local paper (the Pottsville Republican Herald), a woman asked about alternatives for skin care rather than using purchased cremes. I would suggest that she try aloe juice. This is a natural emollient that works well and can heal damaged areas. — Will Zarecor, via email

WHEN CLEANING THE AC UNIT

Dear Heloise: I recently read a submission from M.H. about cleaning her window-unit air conditioner. She discovered that she needs to occasionally clean the indoor fins (coils) behind the filter, but she is only doing half the job. The outside coils are probably clogged if she’s never had them cleaned. On a condenser unit on a central HVAC system, the airflow is usually opposite from the way air flows through the coils.

While the outside coils on a window AC unit may look clean, debris is usually built up on the interior side of the outside coils because of their unique airflow. Failing to clean the outside coils will result in the unit working much harder, thereby causing higher electric bills and early failure.

This job requires removing the unit from the window and taking off the cover. The coils must be sprayed with a garden hose from the outside in. She must take care not to wet the motor or bearings. There are many helpful videos online for almost every model. — M.J., in Kentucky

ORCHID CARE

Dear Heloise: When my husband died, I was given several orchid plants. I did my best to keep them alive, but some died. Then someone told me to mix a teaspoon of epsom salt in the water before I water them. I thought they were crazy, but I tried it. Presto! The remaining orchids are thriving. Just make sure that the pot drains; orchids don’t like their roots soaking in water. — Priscilla Jones, in California

SPAGHETTI LIGHTER

Dear Heloise: I ran out of matches but wanted to light a candle on my coffee table. I looked around the house and saw spaghetti in my pantry. I decided to try lighting one end to see if it would catch fire, and it did. I was able to light my tall candles that had burnt down. Who knew spaghetti could be so useful?! — C.T., in New York

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.