ArcaMax

DEAR HARRIETTE: What do you do if you're a bridesmaid, but the wedding expenses are mounting? This is my best friend's wedding, and I'd hate to miss out, but some of these things are too demanding: engagement party, bridal shower, bachelorette party, dress, hair, makeup, alterations and more. The list of events and expenses just keeps growing. ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: When sharing stories, anecdotes or facts in conversation, I usually cite my source. For example, I might say, "I recently read an op-ed in (newspaper) by (author) where they said ..."

But in my attempt to give credit where credit is due, I feel that I'm coming off as elitist and/or condescending. What is your opinion on when ...Read more

Dear Annie: I believe it's a bad idea for people to share their unsolicited opinions on other people's parenting, especially not someone like me, who is young, single, childless and barely knows what to do with my own life.

Still, I can't help but worry about my brother's lifestyle. His house is a mess, and not just a "child lives here" kind ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: Eight years ago, my wife's nephew needed a car. His parents had poor credit at that time. I took him to a car dealer, where he found a car, and I didn't hesitate to cosign the loan. He paid the loan off on time.

I am now in financial difficulty, and one possibility for me would be to refinance my car loan. When I suggested the nephew...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I need help dealing with a co-worker who shares way too much about their personal life. Every day at work, they corner me with long-winded stories about their relationship drama, family conflicts, financial struggles and even embarrassing medical details. At first, I listened out of politeness, but now it's become overwhelming. I...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I volunteer for an organization that provides services for homeless people. We provide items such as clothes, winter coats, shoes, infant formula, diapers and personal hygiene kits -- and also help with transportation (such as bus passes) and assistance with getting an apartment. Once someone is housed, we provide "startup ...Read more

Dear Annie: My mother-in-law recently moved in with us after a very (thankfully) minor stroke. She has NO savings, and up until that point she was working sporadically just to keep a roof over her head and food in her belly.

If I may backtrack back to the no savings ... For the past 30 years, she has literally laid in bed and watched TV all ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My 25-year-old niece is getting married in four months. Five years ago, she lost her father in a tragic accident while her parents were on vacation. Since that time, she has come out as gay and grown closer to me than to her mom (my sister).

I was always close to my sister and both of her daughters while they were growing up and ...Read more

DEAR SUSAN: Hopefully by now you've gotten some email in support of your position on the engagement ring issue. This widely and fervently held and programmed belief is just one more symptom of the stranglehold marketing has on our culture, overriding all. -- Mike

DEAR MIKE: You and I may be the only humanoids on planet Earth who see the ring ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I've been going to the same hairstylist for years, and while she's always been kind and reliable, I've started to feel like her work just isn't what I want anymore. The haircuts and color never turn out quite right, and I find myself walking out of appointments feeling disappointed more often than not. I know I should probably ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have a communication issue with my nieces and nephews, who are about to be college-age. They are my brother-in-law's kids. Their grandmother (my partner's mother) feeds them an inventory of our possessions, encouraging them to ask us for these items.

She has suggested that the nieces and nephews beg for my jewelry and ...Read more

Dear Annie: I've been married for over 20 years, and my husband has always handled our finances. I trusted him to take care of everything, but recently, I've started to feel uneasy. When I ask about our savings, bills or retirement plans, he either brushes me off or gives vague answers. I don't know if he's hiding something or if he just doesn...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I've been married to my husband for 30 years. For the past five years, I've noticed that he is acting a little different. He's lost a lot of weight. I found out he's been smoking drugs. He had this problem years ago, and I thought we had it beat. But now I'm getting the impression that maybe you can't ever beat it.

My daughter gave ...Read more