Category: Advice Column

A couple of weeks ago, our company hired a new employee named James (36). He’s a good guy, and everyone seems to get along with him. He’s also a widower. From what I understand, his wife passed away about eight months ago.

I’m 32F, and I’ve gotten along well with James, just like the rest of our coworkers. But I noticed that he still wears his wedding ring. That confused me, so one day during lunch, I decided to bring it up.

I’m 43, single, no kids, and still renting an apartment. Lately, I’ve been struggling with something I’m not proud of. I’m jealous of one of my closest friends.

We’ve known each other since college, but our lives have gone in completely different directions. He’s married to a wonderful woman, has two kids, a nice house, and a comfortable life. Meanwhile, I’m still living alone, coming home to an empty apartment every night.

I’m in my mid 30s and about to become a parent for the first time. I’ve had a name picked out for my first child since high school, whether I ended up having a boy or a girl.

Two years ago, a pregnant friend and I were talking about baby names. I told her the name I had always planned to use and how much it meant to me.

When she had her baby, she ended up using that exact name. I was upset, but then something heartbreaking happened. Her baby passed away.

My best friend and I have always had a friendship built around pranks. It’s how we bonded, and we’ve spent years trying to one up each other.

One time, he invited me to a party and told me it was a costume party. I showed up dressed in a costume, only to discover everyone else was wearing normal clothes. I was embarrassed, but I laughed it off. That’s just the kind of friendship we’ve always had.

My wife and I have been married for three years.

I was working as a web designer until recently, when several of my coworkers and I got laid off. I’ve been looking for another job for about a month, but so far, nothing. I’ve sent out plenty of resumes and haven’t gotten a single response. It’s been really discouraging, and I’m starting to feel hopeless.

My wife, on the other hand, works at a bank and recently got promoted to manager.

I’m a decent looking 30 year old guy. I grew up playing sports, so I’ve always been pretty athletic and stayed in good shape.

I currently work in sales, and there’s a receptionist at my job who is really cute, but she’s also a bigger woman. She’s in her mid 30s, married, and has kids.

I’m naturally a flirty person, and I guess she doesn’t get much attention outside her marriage because she seems to love every bit of attention I give her.

My wife and I are struggling with a difficult situation involving her parents, and we could really use some advice.

My in laws are both in their early 60s and have always been irresponsible with money. They never saved for retirement and regularly made impulsive purchases. About three years ago, my father in law received a $300,000 settlement. Despite our warnings, he invested the entire amount in risky stocks and lost almost everything.

Now they’re constantly complaining that they can’t afford basic necessities. But they refuse to work, claiming they’re too old and that certain jobs are beneath them.

My son will be 19 in December, and I’m starting to wonder where we went wrong as parents.

My wife and I did the best we could raising him. We weren’t perfect, but we always tried to do what was best for him.

Growing up, he was always lazy. We constantly had to stay on him about chores, schoolwork, grades, and responsibilities. And anytime we tried to talk to him about it, he’d get angry and lash out.