DEAR ABBY: I'm writing this in the hope that it will help other young people at risk with credit cards. I had to live this experience to know, but perhaps my hard-earned lesson will help others.

The first time you open an envelope containing a small, hard piece of plastic with your name on it, the battle is lost. With credit card in hand, you rush off to the mall. Once you have used the plastic to activate it, it's, "Look out world, here I come!" You see something you want -- you buy it. You may experience a momentary twinge of guilt, but you'll worry about it later.

Some people think this is because of the kind of personality you have, or the way you were raised, or that you didn't learn the value of money when you were young. None of that was a factor with me, nor is it with many other young people. I think that at age 18, the temptation is just too strong.

I'm not the only person in my circle of friends who's in this situation. At 18, earning $5.50 an hour, I had no money experience and no business having a credit limit of around $3,500. Thanks to my creditors -- who aren't in it for the best interests of consumers -- I'm working to pay off debts of more than $10,000. After four years, I've only reduced it to $6,500. The interest, late payment fees and finance charges are double my original purchases.

Perhaps hearing this firsthand from someone under 25 will help young people at risk: Listen to your parents about the dangers of credit. Please think twice about your future, because if you use plastic now, your future credit rating won't be worth the paper it's printed on. Trust me. I know from experience. Now I pay only with cash when I can afford to splurge, which isn't often. But it's far more rewarding and less stressful. -- NO MORE CREDIT, PORTLAND, ORE.

DEAR NO MORE CREDIT: I'm printing your letter for all to see as a warning. However, perhaps you should place the blame for your predicament a little closer to home. According to the publication Credit World (March/April 1998), credit cardholders between the ages of 18 and 24 account for only 18 percent of late payments -- while consumers ages 34 to 44 account for 29 percent, the largest proportion of overdue bills. In fact, the generation of Americans born in the mid-'70s and who are quietly coming of age are ambitious, enterprising and responsible young adults.

Learning responsible use of credit is vital. According to Teen-Age Research Unlimited, 39 percent of America's 18- and 19-year-olds have credit cards in their own names. Students should ask their teachers whether personal financial literacy information or training is provided in their curriculum. If it's not, educators should know that free workshops are offered by Consumer Credit Counseling Service. Contact it at (800) 388-2227.

DEAR ABBY: Can I get pregnant when I am getting or having my menstrual period? Can a girl get pregnant having her first intercourse? -- WORRIED GIRLFRIEND IN PENNSYLVANIA

DEAR WORRIED GIRLFRIEND: Yes to both questions. Unless a girl's menstrual periods are 100 percent "regular," there is no absolutely "safe" time. Very few girls have perfectly regular cycles, and because of this, the rhythm method (also known as "baby roulette") is unreliable. Also, a boy can father a child from the time he experiences his first ejaculation, which usually occurs between the ages of 11 and 15.

Everybody has a problem. What's yours? Get it off your chest by writing to Dear Abby, P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, Calif. 90069. For a personal reply, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed envelope.

DEAR ABBY: You printed a letter from "K," a woman who has been dating a wonderful man for 18 months. She loves him with all her heart, but thought she would rather be his friend than permanent partner. You advised her to break things off, so that both of them may be free to find "true love."

Abby, that helps perpetuate one of the saddest lies of human existence. "Chemistry" and "magic" -- as you call them -- have almost nothing to do with love. Passion and lust, as such, are illusions that hold empty promises and fade quickly. Why do you think there are so many more failed and broken relationships than happy, lifelong ones? Because people believe these lies are indicators of love, and search again and again for them when they fail to fulfill.

Love is eternal and ever-present. Love is also more closely related to friendship than passion. If you polled successful marriages, you would find that the most committed partners claim they were best friends first. Passion is certainly exciting and part of the shared experience between partners, but true intimacy grows from trust and friendship -- not from the fear that lustful illusions bring.

At one time, my wife was like "K." It took seven long years for my patient love to find its way into her heart, but we've been happily and passionately married ever since! True love never walks away from another. I hope "K's" boyfriend hangs in there and shows her what love is really all about. -- BRUCE CULP, VERO BEACH, FLA.

DEAR BRUCE: Although much of what you say about love is true, it's my observation that when a woman says she "would rather be friends," it means that sexual attraction is missing. Please read on:

DEAR ABBY: This is my first letter to you, but because the topic is so important, I felt I must share my thoughts.

I am writing in response to the young woman who has been seeing a man for 18 months, but wants to be only friends with him. While she says she "loves" him, she clearly is not "in love" with him. You were so right to advise her to be honest with the man. I hope she takes what you said to heart and doesn't fall into the trap that I did.

Twenty years ago, I had been seeing the ideal man. We had so much in common. After a few months of dating, I told him I liked him very much, but didn't feel that I was in love with him. He was devastated, and I was racked with guilt. I doubted my own judgment and wondered how I could throw away the "perfect" mate. The result was that I "learned" to love him and we married.

Abby, after 17 years of a very difficult marriage, I am finally on my own -- regretting that I ever gave in to guilt. Please tell your readers, as the saying goes, "In matters of the heart, follow your heart ..." not your need to take care of others. The price is too high. -- LEARNED THE HARD WAY

DEAR LEARNED THE HARD WAY: You said it -- and eloquently.

DEAR ABBY: Is it appropriate for a couple to host their own housewarming party? Or should someone else host it? -- D.C. IN DALLAS

DEAR D.C.: Traditionally, housewarming parties are hosted by the new homeowners.

For an excellent guide to becoming a better conversationalist and a more attractive person, order "How to Be Popular." Send a business-sized, self-addressed envelope, plus check or money order for $3.95 ($4.50 in Canada) to: Dear Abby Popularity Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, Ill. 61054-0447. (Postage is included.)

DEAR ABBY: I just want to thank you for your suggestions about Christmas gifts for seniors. My 15-year-old daughter took your advice and made beautiful "family albums" for each of her grandmothers.

Around Thanksgiving of last year, she wrote letters to all their brothers, sisters, children and grandchildren, explaining what she was planning and saying she'd like a memory or a story involving them. She also asked if they had any photographs she could use or copy.

The replies were great! Almost everyone took the time to send an old memory or a funny story. Those who didn't regretted it once they saw the books.

My mother and mother-in-law both cried when they read their albums. It was something special just to watch their faces and hear all the "Oh, yeahs," and, "I forgot about thats."

Both albums are proudly displayed in their homes and are passed around often. I'm very proud of my daughter for all her hard work on those books. She did a great job.

My question for you, Abby, is: How does she top that this year? -- TIA'S PROUD MOM, BETHLEHEM, PA.

DEAR MOM: I don't blame you for being proud of your creative and generous daughter. The answer to your question is: Sometimes it's better to coast until you're blessed with another inspiration.

DEAR ABBY: I am writing to encourage "Scared in Vista, Calif.," who was uneasy about meeting the daughter she had placed for adoption 18 years ago.

I am 27, and it suddenly became very important to me that I know my heritage, medical history, and the reason I was placed for adoption. I have never felt abandoned or unloved because of my birth mother's decision to allow someone else to raise me. To me, such a decision is the most unselfish act a woman can ever make.

Abby, I recently located and met my birth mother. My adoptive mother, who is my mom, also recently met my birth mom. It was, by far, the most amazing event in my life to date. It has been several months since my first call to her, and I have visited with her and her entire family four times now. We frequently telephone one another.

There were many reasons I wanted to meet her, but first and foremost, I wanted to thank her. Mom expressed the same sentiment when we met my birth mother. Please tell "Scared" that there is no reason to be afraid. She will experience many emotions on this journey and will need to allow time for everyone to adjust, but I guarantee that her daughter has been looking for her, and she is probably just as nervous as the mother. However, the meeting should not be feared. They should not back off now. The rewards are just around the bend. -- NO LONGER GUESSING IN NEW JERSEY

DEAR NO LONGER GUESSING: I'm pleased that the reunion with your birth mother was rewarding. Not every reunion between birth families and adoptees works out so well. However, in recent years the input I have received indicates that the majority of these meetings are fulfilling, and the result is that many doubts are laid to rest -- which makes them worth the risk.

Everybody has a problem. What's yours? Get it off your chest by writing to Dear Abby, P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, Calif. 90069. For a personal reply, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed envelope.