DEAR ABBY: One day my dad was talking to one of my friends, and he said, "We're poor." Abby, we live in a nice house in a middle-class neighborhood. Both my parents have their master's degrees, and I never have to worry about having something to eat or if I can afford to pay for my college education.
My parents always make comments about how much things cost and how much they can't buy. I'm sorry, but it's just a little bit irksome. I feel like their obsession with money is putting a crimp on enjoying the good things in life. Why can't they be a little more "cup is half-full"? -- LINDSAY IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
DEAR LINDSAY: Your father may have gotten some bad news about his investments the day he spoke to your friend -- as many people have over the past year -- or perhaps he suspected that she was palling around with you because she thought you had money. Ask your dad why he said what he did, because the answer could be enlightening.
It would have been helpful if you had mentioned what preceded your father's comment. That would have put it in context.