ArcaMax

DEAR HARRIETTE: I recently started budgeting after realizing how much money slips through my fingers each month, especially on little treats like coffee runs, lunches out and takeout. When I added it all up, I was shocked at how much I've been spending without even realizing it. I know I need to be smarter with my money so I can save for my ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I'm a single woman who is frequently asked about my plans for marriage. The individuals making these inquiries have no business asking this question, let alone hearing the answer.

I typically smile and change the subject without answering their question. A few times, when particularly startled, I have responded with, "I beg ...Read more

Dear Annie: I had a seven-year relationship with a man who I thought was the love of my life. I had been married twice before -- once for 17 years -- to an alcoholic, and I was in a 10-year relationship with a man 15 years older than me.

I have one daughter, who is now 40, and he has a daughter with whom he is estranged. She is 43. He has been ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: Nine months ago, my friend "Anne" moved in with me after losing her home following her boyfriend's death. Since then, she's had trouble finding employment, but when she does work, she spends money on stuff she really doesn't need. She's always talking about how she hates to be a burden on me and will move out ASAP. Then she buys ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My best friend has a habit of oversharing personal drama on social media, and it's starting to make me feel uncomfortable and embarrassed. Often, I'm tagged in posts or mentioned in stories that reveal private conversations or situations that I never intended to be public.

I laughed it off at first, thinking it was harmless, but...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: The culture of my academic field is very casual. I'm interviewing for professorships at several places, and the faculty committees in the interviews -- all "doctors" by title -- invite me to call them by their first names.

Having just completed my Ph.D., I'd like to ask them to recognize this, at least for the period of the ...Read more

Dear Annie: My brother and I are in our early 50s, and our mom has dementia. Our personal lives could not be more different. I have kids and have been married for 25 years. I returned to the workforce full time five years ago after having been a stay-at-home mom. My brother is a newlywed of three years, no kids, and works on big projects for his...Read more

My daughter and her best friend started their own business. They made business cards and put the QR code to their Red Cross babysitting certification on the back. Their first client was a neighbor with a toddler who came to our house, where I could watch all three of them, and be a business respite program. I overheard one of them lament after ...Read more

Dear Annie: I'm writing this concerning my family. I have five sons and one daughter who are all grown and have children.

My third son, "Jake," has two adult daughters and an adult son. When Jake's two daughters were kids, I went head over heels in buying things for them. The son wasn't born yet. I bought nothing but the best for the girls, and...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My husband and I are in our 50s. For several months, I have been struggling with an issue I have with my mom. She constantly asks me how much my annual income is and how much my husband makes. In the 20-plus years we have been married, we have never asked to borrow money from my parents (or anyone, for that matter). We have always ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My boyfriend and I have been dating for almost a year now, and for the most part, things have been going really well. He's kind and supportive, and he makes me feel valued. There's one thing that's been bothering me more and more lately: how often he talks about his ex. He brings her up in casual conversation, shares stories from...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am expecting my second daughter in March. Our families are both looking forward to having a baby shower for two main reasons: This will be the first shower we've had, because we lived too far away last time, and also because I've had two miscarriages prior to this pregnancy.

Obviously both sides of the family are very ...Read more

Dear Annie: My daughter will be 26 this year. Her father and I divorced when she was 14. I feel like she had more sense as a 12-year-old than she does now. She had her fair share of issues growing up, and I took her to therapists until she turned 18. Needless to say, we've had a rough relationship the last few years. It's hard to talk to her ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: Recently, my neighbor, who has always been eccentric, has embarked on an unusual gardening project. Instead of traditional plants, he's turned his backyard into a sprawling sanctuary for rescued wild animals. At first, it seemed harmless, but the situation has escalated. His yard now attracts wildlife, including raccoons, skunks and ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My younger brother got married last year. This is his first marriage, and he's in his 50s. In some ways, I think getting married later can be a bit easier: You know what you want, you know your boundaries and you are likely more established (professionally and financially). I think in some ways that rang true for my brother, but ...Read more