At the grocery store, I bought $4$ different items. I brought $3$ identical bags, and handed them to the cashier. How many ways are there for the cashier to put the items I bought in the $3$ identical bags, assuming he might leave some of the bags empty

Ametal rod needs to be 9 feet and 5.5 inches in length. the sections of the poles being used are each 1 foot and 10.5 inches long. how many 1ft 10.5in sections would be needed to complete the 9ft 5.5in metal rod? and how many inches of material will be left?