DEAR HELOISE: As a retired couple, we just don’t use up bread like we used to. When I buy a loaf, I immediately separate it into two-slice packages in plastic sandwich bags and rebuild the rest of the loaf in the original bag. I then freeze the whole loaf. It is easy to use and thaw two slices at a time!

• Judi Brauns, in Green Valley, Arizona

DEAR HELOISE: You suggested a tape measure rather than a ruler for a college student to have on hand. Cellphones come with an app called Measure. It is quite handy and accurate!

Robin A., in Bakersfield, California

DEAR HELOISE: Instead of putting newspaper or other things in your sink drain to catch vegetable peelings, why not just use a colander? It’s easy to use and washable.

• C.J.E., in Arkansas

C.J.E., there is now a new product on the market that grinds up leftover food scraps and makes the perfect compost out of them. It’s odor-free and can be found online, in appliances stores, and sometimes in hardware stores.

• Heloise

DEAR HELOISE: Readers recently wrote in about different resources for research, such as bookstores, internet searches, and the local library. LIBRAries are connected to an app titled Libby; by using your library card from your local library, you can access books through your electronic device and also listen to audiobooks.

A friend told me about this when I was spending too much on electronic books and subscriptions for the privilege to read them.

S.C.,

in Tulsa, Oklahoma

DEAR HELOISE: I wanted to mention how back in the day, we used $1 bills for snack machines. I haven’t seen a snack machine that takes less than $1 in a long time — or rolls of quarters, too!

• Daphne K., in Vancouver, Washington

Daphne, I haven’t used a snack machine in over 10 years. In fact, I’ve noticed a number of places that used to have snack machines don’t have them anymore or have reduced the number they have. Thanks for the update!

Heloise

DEAR HELOISE: To keep guacamole from turning brown, it needs to be kept oxygen-free. I used to make guacamole in a restaurant (using 20 pounds of avocados). After I divided it up into the serving containers, I would take plastic wrap and press it onto the surface of the guac.

Then I would pat it down so that there were no air bubbles. Make sure you get around the edges, too.

• Dawn G., via email

King Features Syndicate Inc.