Dear Jeanne & Leonard:
My brother just bought his kids a purebred puppy, a yellow lab that I know cost him more than $1,000. The thing is, my brother’s always hitting me up for money so he can make the minimum payment on his credit cards, say, or keep his utilities from being turned off. I usually help him out — one, because he’s underemployed; two, because he has four kids; and three, because we’ve always been close. But I never intended to help him buy a dog, especially one I can’t afford myself (ours came from a shelter). Should I say something?
— D.G., Southern California
Dear D.G.:
Just what your brother needs — another mouth to feed.
But to answer your question: Yes, you should say something. The next time your brother asks for money, you should say “no” — or maybe even “hell, no.” What your brother needs is a debt counselor, not more of your dough.
Dear Jeanne & Leonard:
“Terry,” my cleaning person, backed into a fence in the condo complex where I live, causing considerable damage to both the fence and the plants in front of it.
The homeowners association subsequently sent her a bill for $600 to repair the damage and replace the plants. But Terry says the bill is too high, and she’s refused to pay it.
She’s also refused to notify her insurance company, because she doesn’t want the claim on her record. So, long story short, I got stuck paying the $600, and as a result, I fired Terry.
I happened to tell a friend about this, and, to my surprise, she was shocked. She says that everyone deserves a second chance. Can my friend be right? Should I really be giving Terry a second chance?
For the record, I’ve been paying her $15 an hour and also contributing to her Social Security.
— Linda, Buffalo, New York
Dear Linda:
Give her a second chance to do what? Back into a neighbor’s car and walk away from that repair bill as well?
We have news for Terry: No one wants to call his or her insurance company. If she’s worried that reporting the accident could lead to her rates going up, that’s her problem, not yours or your condo association’s.
Choosing not to report the accident is not a decision someone is forcing on her, and it’s certainly no excuse for not paying for the damage she caused.
If Terry thought the $600 charge was too high, she should have taken that up with the homeowners association, not stuck you with it.
Six hundred dollars is a big bill to eat, and you did nothing wrong when you fired the person responsible for putting it on your plate. If your friend is shocked by your actions, perhaps she would like to hire Terry herself. Then she can make the bet that her employee doesn’t have a chronic deficit of integrity.
P.S. If you haven’t already, check with your own insurance carrier. Your homeowners or renters policy may cover a portion of the $600.
