DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: My boyfriend convinced me to sell my old car and buy one I could pay off through carsharing.

At first it was working okay especially since I was working from home three days a week. Now I have to be in the office Monday-Friday and I could really use the car. Without it I have to take the bus, which isn’t that far from our house and my office but it kind of sucks to have to be at the bus stops in cruddy weather.

I keep telling my boyfriend not to book rentals on the car every day during the week, but he said he doesn’t want to lose the income we’re using to pay the car off, and by having it out on rentals during the week we can afford to have it all weekend for our own use.

I get what he’s saying, but I no longer feel like this is necessarily the best way to pay for the car I bought and only have limited use of.

Do you think I’m asking too much? --- WANT MY CAR BACK

DEAR WANT MY CAR BACK: No, I don’t think you’re asking too much.

You mentioned that you bought the car, and if the car is in your name, it seems to me you should be the one determining how it’s used.

The current arrangements are clearly not working for you, and I think your boyfriend needs to not only understand that, but to also respect your preferences regarding your property.

DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: My cousin is getting married in April and I am so worried he is making the biggest mistake of his life. He is an introverted homebody who is very close to his family and who collects vintage Lionel trains and old TV shows from the 1990s.

She is a super extrovert who has cut off most of her family, but has a huge number of friends.

I see how my cousin looks at his fiancée like she is some kind of goddess. I never see her look at him like he is something special to her.

I give their marriage a couple years at the most. If I could, I would persuade my cousin to call the whole thing off, but I guess that would be wrong, wouldn’t it? --- SO WRONG FOR EACH OTHER

DEAR SO WRONG FOR EACH OTHER: Odd couple though they appear to you, your cousin and his fiancée made the decision to get married. I can’t imagine that was taken lightly and without some serious thought on both sides.

I’ve known many highly successful marriages and long-term relationships between seemingly mismatched individuals. It may be their differences that make for a strong partnership. That may very well prove to be the story with your cousin and his soon-to-be bride.

DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: I am a divorced woman in my late 40s. My child is in college. I am dating a man of similar age and situation. We have had a great, loving relationship for 2.5 years.

“Matt” and his sister “Martha” like to call themselves “Irish twins.” They are 14 months apart in age and very close.

Due to geographical distance, we have only visited with her a couple of times. The first time, I was fairly unimpressed with her because she was volatile and snippy with their elderly mother, a delightful lady with whom I bonded over a shared antiquing hobby.

Their mother died several months ago. Matt asked me to help sort out her collection. I worked “virtually” to help, giving my opinion on the value of items and suggesting auction houses that would maximize their profit. My advice brought the estate a five figure profit.

Last week, Matt and I visited his hometown for the final clean-out of the house. I worked hard to be helpful, running loads of donations to charity shops. Many more treasures were uncovered. Martha alternated between mocking my expertise ‒ “Oh girl, give it a rest. Throw those things in the donation pile!” ‒ and making snide remarks about me being a trash picker.

Matt told me I could have anything I wanted from that pile. I ended up with some jewelry that I will treasure always.

At one point, I overheard Martha making hateful remarks about my “greed.” Matt has waffled between saying I might have imagined this or maybe his sister was just tired. I decided to let it slide, she is grieving after all. But I know what I heard!

The last night we were at the house, Martha announced that she will plan spring break for all of us ‒ her family, Matt and I, and Matt’s kids ‒ in a big house together. I DON'T WANT TO GO! Martha seems very hostile and unlikable. She actually reminds me of my ex who was abusive.

Matt has said he thinks a trip would be a great opportunity for his two favorite girls to bond. I honestly do not see this happening. However, I am afraid that slamming a door on Martha will hurt my relationship with Matt.

Should I just tell everyone I will go “next time”? --- DEE IN DESMOINES

DEAR DEE IN DESMOINES: You’re in a tight spot, but it seems to me finding yourself forced to be around Martha for a spring break vacation she’s taken the lead on may also have the potential to damage your relationship with Matt.

At the very least it isn’t likely to prove a relaxing getaway for you if you have to spend it keeping your feelings about Martha in check in front of everyone, especially her indulgent brother.

My recommendation would be for you to find a way to bow out of the spring break trip as gracefully as possible, or at least limit the amount of time you spend in the same house as Martha. Putting in an appearance for a couple of days would be one way to demonstrate your support of the grieving family and shorten your exposure to someone who doesn’t exactly give you the warm and fuzzies.