Life Advice
/Health
Sibling Worried Sister Has Wrong College Priorities
DEAR HARRIETTE: My youngest sister is in the process of applying and being accepted to colleges -- for the second time. She's had some trouble in the past in terms of staying focused and prioritizing her degree and her education, and now as she's applying to get back into college, she's constantly consulting her friends. I won't pass judgment on...Read more
Neighbor Acts Like Building Busybody
DEAR HARRIETTE: There is a woman in my building who is constantly acting like community watch or building security. We have a group chat, mainly for updates and maintenance announcement purposes, but she is always writing things in there and telling our building manager what to do. "There is an umbrella left in the lobby. Can we check the ...Read more
Mother's Hoarding Worries Her Child
DEAR HARRIETTE: I am struggling to help my mother, who is a hoarder. Growing up, our house was always cluttered, but it has gotten significantly worse over the years. Every room is packed with boxes, old furniture and things she refuses to throw away. It's to the point where she can barely move around her home, and I worry about her safety. I've...Read more
Partner With Bad Credit Hasn't Shared With Boyfriend
DEAR HARRIETTE: I've made some questionable decisions over the years that had a negative impact on my credit. Many of those mistakes were things I did when I didn't fully understand the concept of credit and financial responsibility. Now my bad credit is haunting me. I've been trying to take all of the steps to diminish debt and rectify certain ...Read more
Sensitive Reader Wants To Take Things Less Seriously
DEAR HARRIETTE: I am trying to work on becoming less bothered by the small things in life. I take things personally, whether they are big or small, and I let them ruin my whole day. For instance, if someone makes a harmless joke at my expense or if I receive minor criticism at work, I dwell on it for hours, sometimes even days. Even when I know ...Read more