Maxine,

My credit card bills are getting out of hand. It seems the more money I make the more bills I have to pay. I’m trying to save money for my future and am not getting anywhere with it. I know everyone says to cut my cards up, but I just can’t do that and make ends meet. What do you think I ought to do?

Cashless
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Dear Cashless,

In some cases, cutting up the cards is really a good idea and maybe even necessary. The real key to getting your finances in line is, to SPEND LESS THAN YOU MAKE!! If this means getting rid of that new car, and getting a used one that you can afford, then do it. If it means moving to a more affordable place to live, then you must. You know, you could shine those shoes, instead of buying new ones, too. Don’t drive every time you have a fancy to. Plan your outings so you get things done efficiently. It’s called living within your means. Spend less than you take home and you can pay down your credit cards and begin to put money into interest bearing accounts.

Maxine,
I’m having a problem at my church because my son is gay. He came to church a couple times and was not received well at all. I guess he presents obviously feminine characteristics. Now I even feel that some of the people at the church avoid me or see me differently, too. I’ve gone to this church for many years and don’t want to find another. What should I do?

Scarlet mom
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Dear S. Mom,
You may not ever be able to change the attitudes of people you come across, but you may consider asking them where their Christian Charity has gone, and if they challenge you with a moral argument tell them, "If you are without sin then throw the first stone."  There are some of us that still believe in the "old fashioned" idea of moral high ground, but you'd better believe, it goes both ways!

Dear Maxine,
My wife just doesn't want to have sex anymore, not since having our child almost a six months ago. We do though, maybe a couple times a month, and she always seems reluctant, at first. Am I wrong to want it more often?
Jeff D.
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Jeff,
Maybe she's exhausted from 2am feedings. You're really going to have to open up lines of communication about this and find out how she really feels about everything involved. You may very well, need to talk to a professional counselor, or for now just back off and let her initiate the encounters.