Read fine print on beauty products
Dear Abby: As you know, most women invest a lot of time in addition to money so they can look and feel beautiful.

Dear Abby Woman suspects her fiance is stepping out
Dear Abby: I am a 38-year-old woman. My fiance of five years, "Troy," and I live together and are the parents of a 5-month-old baby girl.

Vote with your feet to end political argument
Dear Abby: I was taught that when you don't know a person's political affiliation, it is impolite to discuss politics, especially if it involves disparaging others (name-calling, putting down political candidates, etc.).

Gold digger's greed is obvious to all
Dear Abby: A man I know is engaged to a woman 20 years younger. I think she's a gold digger, and here's why: She waved his credit card around after he gave it to her saying, "Look what I've got!" (He was not present.) After he bought her a million-dollar house, she told her kids that they have to "act rich" now, and after he bought her a new car, she drove it -- slowly -- around her ex-husband's neighborhood so everyone could see it. She was unfaithful to her ex several times with wealthy men, and has told her friends that if they want to meet men with money, they should go to the expensive golf courses.

Worrier can turn deaf ear to bad news
Dear Abby: I have been reading your column most of my adult life, but I don't ever remember seeing any letters from people who are just afraid of life.

Term of endearment not appropriate
Dear Abby: My mother-in-law -- I'll call her "Irene" -- refers to our 3-year-old daughter, "Amber," as "sexy." When she buys clothing for Amber, she will say, "This is sexy." When Amber was younger and would pull up her dress in play, Irene would say, "Are you trying to be sexy?" Luckily, when it has happened, Amber either didn't hear or remember her comments.

Humor is disabled woman's defense
Dear Abby: May I offer a response to the letter from "Petite's Mom in Salem, Va." (Feb. 25), whose daughter "Claire" is the target of rude comments due to her size?

Couple shunned for opting out of family plot
Dear Abby: My husband and I have been informed that a family headstone has been purchased, and our share is $2,000 -- each. This was never discussed among the family members. The cemetery is located out of state. My husband is in the military, and we had planned to use the military cemetery where we live for a small fee. We think the family was rude and presumptuous planning for our deaths.

Dear Abby She wants promise, but he's not ready to propose
Dear Abby: For the last three years I have been dating this girl, "Annie," whom I love very much. We're both 18, and I am starting college in the fall and plan to go into the military.

Fear of driving puts brakes on engagement
Dear Abby : I fell in love with "Wade" the night I met him. We almost got married, but he couldn't get past my fear of driving. As a child, I witnessed an accident. It was horrific and left me emotionally scarred. If I try to drive in traffic I freeze up and get flashbacks. I have tried for years to put this behind me.

Family is hateful about mixed marriage
Dear Abby: My husband, "Vincent," and I have been together for 10 years. We have two beautiful children, a good marriage and a close bond with my family.

Wife may have to enjoy activities herself
Dear Abby: "Mrs. Couch Potato" (Feb. 28) complained that she's finding in retirement that her husband isn't interested in social activities. Please tell her she's not alone.

Mom sacrifices for uncertain future
Dear Abby: My mother needs help, but will not listen to my brother or me. She has always respected your advice, and she needs it desperately now.

Lowbrow gossip is topic of high interest
Dear Abby: I live in a medium-sized community where a lot of people know one another. I often hear them discuss such private matters as the state of someone's marriage, their finances, etc. Even if they don't know if what they're saying is true, they still repeat it.

Release is no favor to doves at a wedding
Dear Abby: The wedding season is approaching, and every year, starry-eyed brides plan to release white doves to "freedom" as part of their wedding.

Dear Abby Boy's long hair makes him a target of ridicule
Dear Abby: Please help me deliver a message to a family here about their son, who is a fifth-grader in the school my children also attend.

Squawk about teenagers' pot smoking
Dear Abby: Our 16-year-old son uses instant messaging, and we often "check in" on what he is saying and who he's speaking with. Although he knows we keep abreast of what he's doing online, he's obviously unaware of how much detail we have access to.

Sister's cruelty draw tears
Dear Abby: I'm 12 and adopted. I have never felt less loved because of it. My mom always said that when you're adopted, you know that you are wanted and loved because nobody gets adopted by accident.

Family's business has glass ceiling
Dear Abby: I'm in my early 40s. I studied marketing and merchandising in college, but after graduation I chose to work in the family business. I married young, and my father hired my first husband so he could one day take over because I wasn't considered "man" enough to carry on this third-generation business. I have spent the last 22 years learning this business inside and out. The employees respect me, and I have also gained respect within our industry. Although the number of women is still small, more and more women are involving themselves in this and related fields.

Daughter wrong about 'conniving woman'
Dear Abby: I have been divorced for four years. About nine months ago, I met "Cecil," a wonderful man who was widowed three years ago. We have fallen in love.

Bond at home, not while hunting
Dear Abby: I am writing in response to the letter from "Concerned Grandpa" regarding his son-in-law taking his 4-year-old grandson hunting. I'll bet you were inundated with mail from both sides of this issue.

Deaf woman speaks too well to be believed
Dear Abby: I am a deaf woman who was raised by a woman who made sure I had speech therapy most of my life. Because of it, my speech is quite good, and people often forget that I am deaf or don't believe me.

Dear Abby Wife married to cheater finds right ring for divorce
Dear Abby: I am a 45-year-old woman with two daughters, ages 20 and 23. I married my high school sweetheart, "Cooper." I had heard rumors that Cooper had strayed from time to time, but had no evidence to back it up, and, of course, he denied it.

Sisters must stop playing blame game
Dear Abby: My parents recently divorced. My sister and I live with our mother. Mom and Dad had to sell our three-bedroom home in the divorce settlement. Even though Dad pays child support, money is tight and Mom can only afford a two-bedroom apartment.

Sister has herself to blame for debt
Dear Abby: My sister, "Ellie," and her husband, "Bill," have three lovely little girls. Both have good jobs and live in a pleasant neighborhood. However, neither one ever learned any life skills. Both worked and lived rent-free with their parents until they met and married in their late 20s. Consequently, they are up to their necks in credit card debt because of their need for instant gratification.

Families of disabled children can find help
Dear Abby: Please allow me to respond to "No Thanks! Sacramento, Calif." (Feb. 7). Having also grown up with a disabled sibling, I empathize with her distress and feeling "saddled" with an obligation of caring for her younger mentally retarded sister.

Unruly hair: How should I part thee?
Dear Abby: For most of my life, I have parted my hair on the right. I am now being told that men should part their hair on the left. Is there a correct side for men? -- Harry W., Morro Bay, Calif.

Party-pooper Mom is impossible to please
Dear Abby: My parents will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary this year, so my siblings and I have been trying to plan something special.

Stepmom can bolster girl's self-esteem
Dear Abby: My 14-year-old stepdaughter, "Nicki," is sweet, sensitive, shy and artistic. Through no fault of her own she is two grades behind in school. She's not anti-social but has few friends at school because of the age difference. The friends she does have take advantage of her. They spend time with her only when she has spending money. They also borrow her things and do not return the items in good condition.

Dear Abby Silence may say more than girlfriend wants to hear
Dear Abby: I have been dating "Louis" for six months. Things are going great. I know he is my soul mate, and I need look no further. He's intelligent, artistic, appreciative, caring, and we have the same political and spiritual philosophy. We are both optimistic about a wonderful future together.