DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: My new husband is one of the coolest, sweetest, nicest guys I know. He has so much going for him ─ except when it comes to being handy around the house.

Our house isn’t exactly a fixer-upper, but it is older and already we have needed to make some repairs, like replacing a garbage disposal, fixing a toilet, replacing a ceiling fan, and installing a new garage door opener. My husband decided to tackle all those jobs, and more. The end result was that we had to hire professionals to come out and fix his fixes.

I don’t want to crush him, but I just don’t know what to do to keep him from DIYing us broke. Suggestions appreciated. --- WIFE OF MR. NOT HANDY

DEAR WIFE OF MR. NOT HANDY: The next time he proposes to take on a home repair himself, gently reminding him of his track record might be a good place to start. While none of us likes to be told we’re aren’t as good at something as we fancy we are, sometimes we need to hear it, for our own good and that of those around us ─ not to mention how expensive it gets to constantly to throw good money after bad.

Check around to see if any of the local hardware/building supply stores hold seminars on different topics taught by professionals. Even if the offerings aren’t directly related to the next home project, seeing how things are done by the pros might help set your husband on a better course.

DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: We helped pay for our wedding, and shortly after that, we used all the gift money we got from the wedding to help put a down payment on a three-bedroom condo.

That was nearly a year ago, and even though we make OK money combined, my husband doesn’t want to spend any money on anything other than the very essentials. We barely go out. Our house has nearly no furniture, and all we have in the kitchen to work with is the stuff I got for my shower or off our bridal registry.

I get his wanting to be careful with money, but every time I bring up our going out or spending something on the house, he shoots it down, saying we can’t afford it. If I ask him when he thinks we’ll be able to afford it, he gets angry and walks away.

I don’t want to fight about money, but this seems strange to me. Is it? --- BRIDE OF A FRUGAL GROOM

DEAR BRIDE OF A FRUGAL GROOM: How a couple manages their finances is a core component in any marriage, and right now, it sounds like you two are on different pages. If you can’t come to an agreement on a basic philosophy of how to use your money, there’ll be trouble down the road.

With two incomes coming in, one suggestion is to set up a separate savings account, dedicated to household expenses. Agree on the amount you’re each going to put in per pay period. You could do the same for a fun fund.

Your husband may still be reluctant to touch any of the savings, but you can make the argument that this money was put away to be used when needed, without affecting your everyday budget.

DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: We live in the countryside. My neighbors, who are my boyfriend’s son and daughter-in-law, have a 2-year-old boy who is allowed to go about naked.

I am fairly OK with this at their home, but they often bring him over to our home like that. It's not all that appetizing when they are here for dinner. 

I seem to be the only one that this offends. I am of the opinion that the child should wear clothing when away from home. I am sure this situation will solve itself in time and when the weather cools. 

My boyfriend overheard me talking about this while I was on the phone with a friend and became indignant, saying he’s just a baby, and, “What’s the big deal?”

I was just asking her what she thought about this. What are your thoughts on the matter? --- PUT SOME CLOTHES ON

DEAR PUT SOME CLOTHES ON: My first thought is that your boyfriend’s family sees your house as an extension of their own, and may have no clue that you’re offended by their young son’s nudity. However, it’s your home too, and if you would like to make a house rule about guests having at least a pair of pants on, then you should work on that with your boyfriend.

My next thought is about potty training. There is a “bare bottom” method, but if the child isn’t in the process of getting trained, what happens when he has to go? Accidents do happen, and it’s certainly a talking point to consider raising with at least your boyfriend.