Dear Answer Angel Ellen: My purse was stolen while dining in a first-class restaurant recently with my girlfriends.

Needless to say, this crime destroyed my evening, but I am still feeling the repercussions of losing my checkbook, glasses, cash, expensive wallet, house keys, driver’s license and much more. Not to mention the hours (and money) it takes to cancel auto pays, change the locks on my apartment, shut down my checking account and get new everything.

My question is: How to keep this from happening again?

--Cathy P.

Dear Cathy: Anyone who has had this terrible experience feels your intense pain, sense of violation and utter despair. Count me in. I too am one of the unfortunate people who have had this happen. Twice. You’d think I would have learned my lesson, but … obviously, I didn’t.

Besides carrying the absolute minimum of things in your purse, keep the purse close, wearing it cross-body while walking, standing, waiting for the bus, etc. and on your lap when seated in a restaurant, movie, etc. Be sure your backpack can’t be easily opened.

Other tips from law enforcement experts:

*Report the theft to police.

*Make copies and/or screenshots of all cards and documents you don’t want to lose.

*Keep a list of essential phone numbers to immediately cancel or place a hold on all crucial documents like credit cards.

*Freeze your credit reports at the three major bureaus: Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. (This is an enormous pain and unfreezing them to apply for credit cards, a mortgage, car loan, etc. is a time suck too.)

*There are anti-theft purses and wallets and plenty of other products designed to discourage thieves.

*Place an AirTag in your purse to locate the stolen item. I did that, knew where my stolen purse was, then went to my police station to try to enlist someone to go arrest the bad guys. I was practically laughed out of the station! Do not go alone to try to retrieve your stolen purse! (But this IS useful if the thief takes your money or valuables and tosses the purse and other contents into a nearby trash can, which sometimes happens.)

*Never, ever leave your purse in the shopping cart at the grocery while reaching for the Fritos and Skinny Pop!

As for your particular problem at a restaurant, you can buy a handbag hook to hold your purse when dining. All of those that I have tried are either too heavy to haul around or too flimsy to do the job. I don’t trust them. Why don’t restaurants install sturdy permanent purse hooks at tables and bars? Good question!

Dear Answer Angel Ellen: I have a couple of linen shirts whose instructions say to hand wash. Is there a way to safely wash them in a washing machine?

--Charles M.

Dear Charles: I wash mine in cold water, delicate setting, remove immediately from washer and hang to dry. Many garments that say “dry clean only” also can be washed this way. Washing them in a mesh laundry bag helps too. (Use the bag for socks and never lose them again!) The bad news is that linen wrinkles like crazy and you will need to iron them (best inside out, when damp). Big pain! Dry cleaning is your best option if you can afford it.

Angelic Readers

Carol S. asks: “Where can I find pants and/or jeans for petite women who have narrow hips? My waist is not as small as the XS size. Most pants look like riding pants on me. It's a sloppy look and alterations are expensive. Jeans for teens usually have a low or mid-rise and after a few wearings, they tend to stretch out and I have to keep hiking them up. I would like pants with pockets (at least one for my phone). Perhaps your petite readers could recommend a brand of pants that would work for me.”

From Paula F: “For reader Christina S. who complained she is unable to find Cristalle perfume by Chanel (one of my favorites too). It has not been discontinued. It is no longer available at Chanel counters in department stores, but it is available at Chanel boutiques. I recently purchased some at the Chanel boutique in the Oakbrook Center mall in suburban Chicago. If your reader lives in an urban area she should check to see if there are any Chanel boutiques near her.”

Judy B. says, “I have found discontinued perfumes on etsy.com and ebay.com. A search for ‘discontinued perfumes’ turns up more sites.” (From Ellen: Worth a try, but often the marked up cost of these is way too high for my budget.)

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