‘It’s caused a lot of tension in our marriage’: My wife’s family comes visit, hides food and never cleans up. How do we get rid of them?
‘Their vacations should not cost us money.’
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The Moneyist
Providing answers to life's money questions
Do you have questions about inheritance, tipping, weddings, re-gifting, or any tricky money issues relating to family and friends? Send them to MarketWatch's Moneyist.
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‘How to travel for free’: I spent $500 hosting my friend for a week. Should she have paid for food and utilities?
‘She binged on food, mainly junk food, and I had to foot the cost.’
‘I’m 63 and desperately hate my work’: Should I pay off my mortgage, claim Social Security and quit my job?
"I’d like to start over, maybe start a business and live out my days doing something I like."
‘He’s content living paycheck to paycheck’: My husband won’t work or get a driver’s license. Now things have gotten even worse.
‘He's too tired to leave, and we don’t have anything but bills.’
‘I’m 62 and ready for my golden years’: I’ve $1.7 million in annuities, Roths and index funds. Can I afford to never work again?
‘Do I sell off some of my mutual fund shares to boost my savings?’
‘When I ran it past the missus, she went ballistic’: I want to buy a $40,000 car, but my wife said no. Then things really got weird.
"After a decade-plus of driving the automotive equivalent of a plateful of boiled spinach, the new car has captured my imagination."
‘All of these tips add up’: If a restaurant adds a 20% tip, am I obliged to pay? Should tipping not be optional?
'Some restaurants add additional service fees for the benefit of employees,' one reader writes.
My mother’s will leaves everything to her 3 children. My brother died suddenly — and his wife says she will receive her late husband’s share
'Our spouses are not mentioned in her will and she was not a popular member of our family'
‘Am I heartless?’ My husband’s business collapsed and we sold our house. He left home to sell real estate, but failed. Should I bail him out?
‘My kids and I actually felt so much more relaxed and happier since he left.’
My wife wants us to spend $5,000 to attend her cousin’s destination wedding. I don’t want to go. Am I being selfish?
"I make a very good living compared to her, and just bought a very expensive new car."
‘I feel used’: My partner stays with me 5 nights a week, even though he owns his own home. Should he pay for utilities and food?
‘He accused me of being materialistic.’
My brother-in-law is being honored by a charity, but tickets for the ceremony cost $375. Should he offer to pay for my ticket?
"My brother-in-law is on the organization's board and was part of the team that set the ticket pricing."
‘Her behavior is egregious’: My sister blocked my number. Should I remove her from our $70 family cellphone plan?
'We grew up in a tumultuous household.'
I’m 46 and a single mother. Should I empty my 401(k) to pay off my house? There’s $128,000 on the mortgage.
‘I currently make good money, and not having to pay a monthly mortgage will help increase my savings.’
I’m sick and tired of tipping 20% every time I eat out. Is it ever OK to tip less? Or am I a cheapskate?
‘Over the last 12 months, I have seen my rent go up by 25%. I’m now paying $3,200 for a one-bedroom apartment.’
‘I married a person who was nothing short of evil’: He has threatened to take my house if we divorce. What can I do?
‘My tenant has not paid a dime since December 2021. He has destroyed the home. He stole my mail, and has been committing credit-card fraud.’
‘Tipping culture is out of control’: I was asked to tip 15% when I made a donation to charity. When will this madness end?
‘It's not a gratuity anymore, it's become another tax.’
The cable guy introduced my 90-year-old stepmother to a new ‘friend,’ and she’s gotten fleeced. Am I legally responsible if she ends up destitute?
‘The bad news is she has welcomed this friend back into her home as a live-in caregiver after kicking her out twice.’
How do we ensure our step-grandchildren don’t inherit our estate? We’re worried our adult children will predecease their spouses.
‘Our son and daughter are parents to biological children as well as stepchildren.’
