DEAR HARRIETTE: My next-door neighbor just inherited a lot of money after his father died, and he brags about it constantly. I'm not quite sure why he thinks he should tell everyone. Not only is it grating on my nerves to have to listen to him like a broken record, but I also worry that not everybody will have good intentions around him. We live in a modest, working-class neighborhood. I don't mean to say that people are necessarily thieves, but if they keep hearing about all this money, somebody might come looking for some. How can I get my neighbor to cool it? -- End Loose Lips, Dallas
DEAR END LOOSE LIPS: Pull your neighbor aside and have a chat. Tell him that you are happy for his windfall even though it is sad that his father passed. Then add that you want his permission to give you a little insight. Suggest that he stop talking about the money because, you never know, somebody might decide that some of it should be shared. If he doesn't get it, be more direct: Since you don't want anybody to steal your money, stop talking about it.
(Lifestylist and author Harriette Cole is president and creative director of Harriette Cole Media. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)