DEAR HARRIETTE: I love my husband. He is a wonderful man, but when it comes to his cooking, I would rather he not step in our kitchen ever again. Last Saturday, my husband took the initiative to make breakfast; he made pancakes, scrambled eggs and turkey sausages. His goal was to put a smile on my face. Sadly, I threw out the food he made because it was terrible. He was upset because I threw out the cooked food and made breakfast the right way. I think I could have handled the situation differently. -- Sacred Ground, Rochester, N.Y.

DEAR SACRED GROUND: You are tough. It would have been far nicer for you to thank your husband for trying and to eat what you could. You insulted him and surely hurt his feelings. Instead, encourage him to spend some time in the kitchen with you.

You can still thank him for his efforts and invite him to make a special meal with you. Teach him how to make eggs to your liking, or choose another dish. As a couple, you can have fun learning about anything. Attitude is everything! And you, dear one, need an attitude adjustment.

DEAR HARRIETTE: My husband and I started our family late. I had my first child when I was 34 years old, and I had my second child when I turned 39. I am 41 years old now, and I would like to have another child before it is not possible. My husband does not think it is a good idea because we are getting older and our busy schedules would not allow it. Should I respect my husband's wishes, or should I nag him until I get my third child? -- Happy Wife, Brooklyn, N.Y.

DEAR HAPPY WIFE: As far as age goes, you should have a checkup with your OB-GYN to see if you are healthy enough to have another child. Plenty of people have babies after 40. Yes, the risk for birth defects rises, but this should be evaluated specifically for you with your doctor.

As far as your finances and lifestyle go, sit down and map out a budget based on time and resources to see where you and your husband stand in your vision of the future. Talk about whether you believe you can comfortably "afford" to bring a third child into the world. Take the time to go through all of your hopes and dreams and fears -- from both of your perspectives. This is a decision you should make together, one that is not based on nagging or fear, but on conscious intention. Tell him that you would like to approach it in a respectful, mature way. Chances are, he will agree.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I took my two daughters to a concert to see their favorite television star perform. When it came time for the star's performance, it was not what I expected. The image she portrayed on television was a clean and positive image; however, that was not the case when my family and I saw her on stage. The concert was vulgar and inappropriate for children under 17 years old. My children were confused, and I was shocked and embarrassed because I had to explain the performance to my girls. I work hard, and I wanted to have a good time with them.

I wish there were a ratings system for concerts -- something similar to the way they rate movies. That way, you will know in advance what kind of concert you are planning to see. Do you think that is a good idea? -- Ratings System, Atlanta

DEAR RATINGS SYSTEM: That is a great idea. I don't know that it will happen, but it makes perfect sense for there to be information, at least, that can guide concert attendees on what they can expect at a show. This is especially true for artists who may have started out appealing to young people through wholesome content only to transform into something more sexualized.

For example, when Disney star Miley Cyrus began to make provocative musical content and wardrobe choices, my elementary school-aged daughter who watched her religiously on the Disney Channel did not know what to think. She and I were shocked at the flashes we saw of Miley across the media. As an adult, I understand that this was a media strategy to catapult her career. As a mom, I had to explain to my daughter that sometimes when children grow up they make these kinds of choices, and I trust that she will NOT decide to be inappropriately provocative. That is a heady conversation to have with a 9- or 10-year-old, yet it is part of life in today's culture. Do I wish I didn't have to have that talk at that time? Yes. I imagine I would have been doubly mortified to have to do such translation at an expensive concert where we might feel like we were being held hostage. Yes to a ratings system!

DEAR HARRIETTE: My upstairs neighbor is a lonely busybody. She does not work, and it seems like she listens to hear when I get home so that she can call and bother me. She does this to her next-door neighbor, too. She often lures us with food. She will pop down with a tasty stew or other dish and then stay for hours talking about nothing. Sometimes that's OK, but my schedule is not as free as hers. I often want to be in my house without anybody stopping by. What can I do? -- Need Space, Richmond, Va.

DEAR NEED SPACE: You have to tell her when she can't stay and visit. Tell her you have something to do. Don't open the door when you don't want to have company. Put on the brakes. She will get the message eventually.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have been noticing commercials for companies where they can take your debt and basically make it go away. Like, if you have a bunch of credit card debt, the companies can reduce the amount you owe and get the creditors off your back. It sounds crazy, but since there are so many commercials about it, I figure it must work. Otherwise, how could they afford to buy the commercials, right? I have a mound of debt and can't figure out how to get free of it. I'm wondering if I should try one of these things. -- Dump Debt, Jackson, Miss.

DEAR DUMP DEBT: Things that seem too good to be true tend to be exactly that. Debt settlement companies are popular in that they do help consumers to reduce their credit card debt, but typically the consumer is left with plummeting credit scores.

What experts recommend instead is to work with a federally accredited company that is affiliated with the Independent Consumer Credit Counseling Agencies. CNBC personal finance correspondent Sharon Epperson says that you want to work with a reputable company that can help you create a budget and strategically dig yourself out of debt. Typically, these nonprofit companies offer support free of charge. To learn more about the support you can get through these agencies, visit aiccca.org/.

DEAR HARRIETTE: My wife and I are in a financial bind because of her indecisiveness. She has been unemployed for two years now, and she is the only person I know who can secure various job interviews but never gain full-time employment. My wife has dreams of opening a day care center in our community. I have the money for her open the day care center, but I still need some help managing the monthly household expenses. I asked my wife if she could find a job while she works toward the day care opening. I believe in my wife's dream; however, I still need her to help me pay some of these bills around the house. Do you think I am being too pushy? -- The Partnership, Memphis, Tenn.

DEAR THE PARTNERSHIP: Sounds like you need to create a budget that gets you to your goals. Let it include exactly how much additional money your family needs your wife to earn in order to reach that figure. You may find that having her work in a focused manner on all the details of the day care facility is most cost-effective. If your calculations show that you really do need the extra income, help her to recognize that and assess what kind of part-time work would be the smartest to seek. Then help her look for it. Stop thinking she can't find a job. That could be a self-fulfilling prophecy. Instead, encourage her to find a way to help your family make its dreams come true.

Instead of being pushy, work together with your wife as a team to get to your goal.