Category Archive

advice

What happens when you’re an unwilling job reference?

My former boss (who I’m still on excellent terms with) put the call out to fill my old position. A good friend of mine applied for it. The problem is: I have serious doubts about her ability to do my former job, and I think my old boss should know that.

Help! My life is stuck in a rut

We feel like our life is stuck in a never ending rut of my student loan repayment and unemployment. We are desperate to move into our own place but it never seems possible. Has anyone else ever been stuck like this? How did you find a way out, even a place to start?

How can I hide my ugly-ass wallpaper?

I live in a small, cute, mobile home in the country. The main problem concerning my home is the horrible interior walls. The trim screams “these walls are stapled together” and the wallpaper is bold in a way I can’t appreciate for the next numerous years. What can I do to cover press board paisleys and fix the tacky trim?

Am I a Grinch or will I find the Christmas spirit someday?

This was our first Christmas in our home and as a married couple. My husband spent almost the entire time talking about all the traditions we were going to start this year and do the same thing every year and how much fun our future kids were going to have and other happy joy joy type silliness. All I kept thinking; I just want to sit on my couch, watch “Downton Abbey,” and forget about Christmas. My question: does all of this make me a Grinch? When I have kids, will I find the Christmas spirit or be even worse?

Please use the OTHER guest bathroom

We have two bathrooms — both of which are equidistant from main gathering areas (kitchen and living room). Although both bathrooms are equally awesome, for some reason guests tend to head to the bathroom that we use! I would really prefer it if our bathroom stays off limits. How do I politely or subtly let guests know which bathroom I prefer them to use?

Which foods are best to donate to food banks?

The office where I work does a food drive every year for our holiday party. I was wondering if anyone who has experience would have any suggestions on what kinds of foods are good to donate to a food pantry?

How can we smoothly move in with my mom with babies of our own?

My husband, my two kids, and I are getting ready to move back into my childhood home. We’re so excited to get into a larger, safer (better hood), cheaper living situation, but there are some worries on moving back in with my mom… mostly for my husband.Have any of you guys had to making the “moving in with the in-laws” change?

Who? What? How? Seeking advice on holiday-time tipping

Growing up in New York City, I was vaguely aware that my parents “tipped” the doormen and the superintendent of my apartment building sometime around the end of December. Now as an adult newly living in a city in Texas, in a rental apartment complex, and I have no idea what I should do about holiday tipping… Who are these people we should be tipping? Should we be giving cash or gift cards? If so, how much? Should we be giving cookies? Should we just give a thank you/happy holidays card?