DEAR ABBY: My daughter, "Jeanine," and three grandchildren ages 6, 7 and 9 live with my husband and me. Jeanine pays us $25 a week for rent and buys some of the groceries. She works in a convenience store part time and takes some college classes.
I am happy to help my daughter and pay tuition to a private school for the grandkids. However, our utilities have skyrocketed since she and the children moved in two years ago. Jeanine has a bank account, and last week I looked at her checkbook. I was shocked to see that she gives her church $50 to $60 a week. She has also written a check for $2,000 to the same church.
I confronted Jeanine when she got home and things have not been the same since. I know I shouldn't have snooped, but shouldn't she give more toward this household than she contributes to the church? -- FEELING USED IN MACON, GA.
DEAR FEELING USED: In this case, absolutely. But it won't happen unless you put your foot down and make it clear that she must. I'm all for contributing to the church, but charity begins at home, and that means paying a fair share of household expenses.