TresSugar

Front Page: CEOs at Bailed-Out Banks Increase Their Perks

TresSugar — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 08:00:59 -0700

The good times are still rolling for CEOs at bailed-out banks: they received huge perks last year while taxpayers footed the multibillion-dollar bill. - Washington Post
Afghanistan will hold a runoff presidential election on Nov. 7 following allegations of fraud that tainted the previous results. - AP
An Iranian-American academic has been sentenced to 12 years in Iranian prison for contributing to unrest after the last election. - AP
It appears less likely that international leaders will sign a comprehensive treaty against climate change when they meet in Copenhagen this December. - New York Times
States cannot afford the death penalty, according to a new study. - CNN
Check out the original balloon boy! - SFGate

Awkward! Boyfriend Wants Her to Chip in For Wedding Present For People She Doesn't Know

TresSugar — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 11:00:00 -0700

Thanks to a reader with an issue (sorry, reader!), we have an awkward scenario for you that she needs you to weigh in on.

My boyfriend and I have been together for about a year and a half. I've met his family, I know his friends and have become friends with many/most of them as well, and things are really going well with us. One of his friends who I have not met is getting married at the end of the month. The bride and groom are both friends of his from college, and I am close with other people who will be attending this wedding. We do not live together, and I am his "plus guest."

A week ago, he mentioned to me what gift he picked out from the couples' registry and asked my opinion. I approved and he said something to the effect of, "Great, it was just about $200 so you can just give me $50 for it since you don't really know them." I brushed it off at the time, but it's been irking me more and more as time goes on. These are not people I know, these are not friends of mine, and if her family were not generous enough to offer to invite a guest, I would not even be going to this event.

It is not about the money (I am happy to spend $50 towards a wedding present), but am I in the wrong for bristling at this assumption of his?

Have you been in this awkward situation? Has a boyfriend asked you to pay for something in such a way that put you off? How did you deal with it?

Sunday Confessional: He's Obsessed With Getting Rich Quick!

TresSugar — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 03:00:00 -0700

We're scouring the juicy (but anonymous!) secrets posted on Truu Confessions and letting you weigh in. This week a confessor shares the money-problem getting between her and her man.

"This guy I'm seeing is obsessed with get-rich-quick books and tapes. He's always repeating affirmations to himself. When he asked me what I thought of his latest book, I told him I thought most people do OK financially when they just find a job they're good at, live within their means, and save - rather than go in for the latest self-help mantras. He responded that I had limited thinking and a fear of success. I'm starting to see a red flag here."

Do you think this is a big deal?

Do Tell: What Do You Do When Asked to Donate at the Store?

TresSugar — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 11:00:00 -0700

If you've been grocery shopping lately, I'm sure a cashier has asked you: "Do you want to give $1 to fight cancer?" (Or educate children, or help the homeless?)

When it happens to me, I feel like I have to say yes or risk seeming like I'm taking a stand against those causes. Wouldn't everyone in line think I'm a cheap, heartless shopper who cares more about blue cheese and white wine than saving the world? OK, maybe not.

While these checkout asks are an effective way to raise money and awareness for worthy charities, they can feel intrusive and pushy. A recent story on Slate recommends saying: "Thanks, but I've got my own giving plan!" When you're asked to donate at the grocery store, do you give all the time, only to causes you're passionate about, or not at all?

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A Do or a Don't: Buying Condoms in Bulk

DearSugar — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 08:00:00 -0700

In this economy, saving money where you can is a no-brainer, which is why buying in bulk is a smart investment - you'll always need toilet paper and detergent, right? But what about buying condoms in bulk? Is it a do or a don't?

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Dear Poll: Are You Having a Hard Time Keeping Up With the Joneses?

DearSugar — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 09:00:00 -0700

When you're watching your spending, it can be hard to continue the lifestyle you were accustomed to, especially if pinching your pennies wasn't necessary before this economic downturn. And since I know how hard staying on budget can be, I'm curious to know if being money-conscious is affecting your social life. So tell me ladies, are you having a hard time keeping up with the Joneses?

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Dear Poll: Would You Move Back in With Your Parents?

DearSugar — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 15:00:00 -0700

Living on your own as an independent woman is something we all strive for, but what happens when you just can't afford to make ends meet? I know moving back into your parents house isn't ideal, but for some it's the only option. So ladies, tell me, if you needed to move home until you got back on your feet, would you consider it?

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Would You Borrow or Lend Money to Your Significant Other?

DearSugar — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 11:00:00 -0700

Most of you agree that lending money to friends is a bad idea, but what about lending money to your significant other? As we all know, times are tough - even for celebrities - so it makes sense to ask the person closest to you for help if need be. But is it a surefire way to jeopardize your relationship? And if you lent it, would you expect it back? Some of you might be in this predicament right now, so tell me how you feel about lending/borrowing money from your significant other.

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Group Therapy: Who Should Pay?

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 04:00:00 -0700

Tomorrow night I have a date with a guy I've seen casually a couple of times before. We've always hung out in a group setting, but tomorrow night it will be just the two of us - he suggested dinner and a movie.

I'm really excited to go out with him, but the problem is his hours at work have been cut way back, and I know he's been struggling to make ends meet. Normally this would be a huge turn-off, but given the economy, I'm not holding it against him. So my question is this: Should I offer to pay my part of our date tomorrow night or would that totally offend him?

[EDITOR'S NOTE: To read more GROUP THERAPY, click here or submit your own question here.]

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Relationship Protocol: Are You Fighting About Money?

DearSugar — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 10:00:00 -0700

I wasn't all that surprised when I read in the April issue of Glamour magazine that 43 percent of couples fight about money. When you're having to learn to love the simple life again and cut back on your frivolous spending, it's easy to be on edge - especially if your money woes are ruining your sex life!

Of course this recession is affecting everyone differently so tell me, is money a topic of conversation that lends itself to an argument these days?

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