My husband and I are looking at getting a second vehicle. We found one we like, and it’s in great shape, but they’re asking more than we can afford to pay. Do you have any suggestions on how to make a low offer without insulting someone?

I own a moving business, and I have a good, smart employee, who is currently my general manager, and he wants to invest in the company. We’re growing and doing pretty well right now, but we could still use the money. How would you suggest that I structure things?

We’re new parents, and we were wondering if you have any advice on how to teach children that Christmas is not a gift-giving free-for-all.
Lauren

Dear Dave,
We’ve been getting on track financially using your plan, but now my husband’s parents wants us to co-sign on a new car. I think it’s a bad idea, and have asked him to not do this. We’re just on Baby Step 2, so any catastrophe would really set us back. What if my husband does this anyway? Do you have any tips on grace, or what do besides the “I told you so” lecture?
Genevieve

Dear Dave,
I’m shopping around for a new bank, because my current big bank has gone fee-crazy. They want $15 to tell me my mortgage payoff amount. Besides asking about fees, do you have any other advice when it comes to looking for a good bank?
Jim

Dear Dave,
Do you have an opinion on whether or not pre-paid legal is a product worth purchasing?

Is it common for older people who have saved their entire lives, have no debt, good pensions, and Social Security income, to become obsessed about not spending their money? My husband and I almost feel guilty about spending any of the money we’ve worked so hard to save.

I just lost my job due to company-wide layoffs. I have an emergency fund in place, but I’m losing my health insurance, and family coverage is very expensive. Our state has a program that covers children’s healthcare in these kinds of situations. Would it be okay to accept this kind of state assistance for my kids until I find another job, and things get better?

I make $60,000 a year, and I have two cars. One is paid for, and I owe $23,000 on the other. These are my only vehicles. I’d like to sell the one I still owe money on, but no one wants to pay that much. I have enough money in savings to cover the difference on one of the offers, but I was wondering if there’s a rule of thumb to determine whether to sell a car in this kind of situation?

I’m starting a photography business on the side to help generate extra income. I have friends who’ve told me they’d like to use my services. However, I feel weird about charging them, because they’re friends. How do I get past that?