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Friends Are Short On Sympathy After Possible COVID Exposure

DEAR ABBY: My husband came down with COVID and has been having a hard time getting over it. When he first started showing the symptoms, I took him to a drive-through medical clinic and got him tested for COVID. The results were negative, so a couple of days later, I carpooled with a friend to another friend’s house where seven other friends had gathered. Several days later, when my husband still wasn’t improving, I took him to an ER where they did another COVID test. This time it came out positive. I thought I owed it to whomever I was around at the get-together to tell them about ...

A Bitter Taste

Dear Heloise: I recently purchased some jars of fruit preserves that were labeled to have been prepared with Splenda. I did not read the label nor realize my huge mistake until tasting. Horrible after taste. Is there a way to rid the preserves of the Splenda, neutralize that taste, or do I accept reality and toss them? — Ralph K., Lafayette, La. Ralph, artificial sweeteners are blended in the recipe at the factory and there is no way to remove the sweetener used. Some leave an aftertaste, but most do not. You might be especially sensitive to the flavor, or the aftertaste might not be ...

Trust Issues Are Remnants Of Past Toxic Relationships

DEAR ABBY: Marriage is considered to be imperative in my religion and culture. I’m 29 and still not married. I have commitment and trust issues with guys. I have been in only three relationships my entire life. Every time things are going well, I tend to self-sabotage and make excuses to push the guy away. I start arguments for no reason or create problems or issues that I fabricate out of thin air. I think it has a lot to do with the fact that my past relationships were toxic and tumultuous. They were cheaters and liars. I have carried that baggage into my relationship with my ...

Savvy Senior: What You’ll Pay for Medicare in 2021

Dear Savvy Senior, I know there will be a small cost-of-living increase in Social Security benefits next year but what about Medicare? What will the Medicare Part B monthly premiums be in 2021, and when do the surcharges kick in for higher income beneficiaries? — Inquiring Senior Dear Inquiring, The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently announced their cost adjustments for 2021 and the increases for premiums and out-of-pocket costs for most beneficiaries will be modest. But if you’re a high earner, you’ll pay more. Here’s what you can expect starting in ...

Gift-Giving This Season

Dear Readers: We are always looking to save money, but the holiday season can be particularly challenging. We want the best for our families, but how can we give without breaking the bank? We face a lot of pressure: TV commercials tell us to spend, spend, spend; kids and grands want what they want; if someone gives you a gift, you feel like you have to reciprocate. Just hold the phone. Before spending anything, sit down, take a hard look at your finances, and create a budget. This will protect you from overspending. And think about starting a savings plan for next year. Giving a gift ...

COVID Causes Rift Between Nurse’s Boyfriend, His Sister

DEAR ABBY: I am a nurse in New York City. My boyfriend lives in Philadelphia. During the height of the pandemic, we didn’t see each other because I worked on a COVID unit and contracted the virus. His sister became very controlling and kept urging him not to see me, which brought me great pain. I was extremely lonely, and for months, the only people I saw were my co-workers. At the end of May, my boyfriend and I began seeing each other regularly. Because he sees me, his sister refuses to see him, which makes me very sad. His mother died two years ago. When his family tries to ...