DEAR ABBY: I'm planning to travel to another state in September and trying to save up for the plane ticket. The issue is, I'm going during my birthday. I'd like my family to help me with the cost of the trip, even if it's only $5 to $10, instead of buying me gifts. How do I go about telling them that, instead of gifts, I'd prefer money without sounding ungrateful or pushy? I just would really like help paying for my trip. -- FAMILY HELP
DEAR FAMILY HELP: Because you would prefer cash to tangible gifts, a way to approach this would be to confide your preference in your mother or another close relative and let that person spread the word. Good luck!