A good way of keeping hints towards the top (and therefore relatively easy to find), without adding clutter is the following:

i) If you notice that "hints" has moved into oblivion onto the second page then add a post to the end. It can just be one word if you like.
ii) This will bring the thread to the top.
ii) Immediately delete the post. As long as you do this before the daily e-mail list is compiled (around 11pm - 12 midnight GMT) there will be no record of the post. If you do it either side of the time that the e-mail list is complied you will see a post that says "post deleted by ..." , so it is best to avoid this.
Good luck!