DEAR HARRIETTE: I get so frustrated when I am going to events like conferences, where you get a name card. People misspell my name on place cards or nametags all the time. My name is not that unusual, but you do have to pay attention to the spelling. Because I know it's possible for my name to be misspelled, I take the time to ask the organizer either directly or in writing to please spell my name properly. Nine times out of 10, it doesn't happen. People with really unusual names that are from other countries or just highly unusual often get their names spelled right. I wish this didn't bother me, but it does. It's my identity, and I want it to be documented accurately. What can I do in this situation? -- Misspelled, Detroit

DEAR MISSPELLED: I have this same challenge, because my name is spelled unusually. Even as an author and a person with a public presence, I often find that my name is misspelled on nametags and such. What I do is similar to you. I do write it out plainly beforehand, sometimes pointing out in writing that my name has an unusual spelling. When I arrive, if I notice that the spelling is inaccurate, I point it out and ask for the tag to be reprinted.

As you likely know, this could mean that your nametag becomes handwritten because the computer and printer that generated the tag are not on site. In the end, you are not likely to win 100 percent of the time, but your friendly vigilance should help reduce the number of times that your name improperly represents you. You might also make up a nametag for yourself that states your name accurately and choose to wear that when the one provided is incorrect!

DEAR HARRIETTE: My husband and I are in pretty dire financial straits, and we haven't figured out a way out. The other day, he suggested that we participate in what looked to me like a scheme. It was something he saw on the Internet that promises you can make hundreds to thousands more per month through data entry. We had to take a long aptitude test to try out for it, and in the end, we got a bad score. I read up on the company, and while it isn't a hoax, it doesn't look like people make much money from it. I told my husband, and now he thinks I'm not supporting him in trying to make more money. I just don't think this is a smart idea. How can I get him to consider other options without insulting him? -- Needing Cash Now, Jackson, Miss.

DEAR NEEDING CASH NOW: You can show your husband the research you did, especially if it points out that the earning power of the company he selected appears to be limited. You might also suggest that the two of you make a budget that itemizes every expense and every dollar of income you have. Review your financial requirements. Figure out where you can shave off expenses. Then talk about options for earning more money. Review your skills and the needs in the job market to see what you may be able to do to bring some extra cash home.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I ran into a college friend recently, and we exchanged information. A few weeks later, I got the strangest email from her, asking me to wire her money because she was stranded in another country and couldn't get out. I know that there are scams like this, but I was concerned because I did just run into this woman and it seemed odd to get an email from her out of the blue when I had never received one from her before. I wrote back to her, and she responded that she was glad I had written to her because she was in dire straits. I thought I should send her the money. I told my husband, and he told me I was an idiot to do that -- it had to be a scam. I didn't want to defy my husband, so I didn't do any more.

I feel horrible because she is a nice woman, and I'm afraid she might really be in need. When I attempted to call her, I didn't get through to her. Do you think I did the right thing? -- Friend in Need, Racine, Wis.

DEAR FRIEND IN NEED: It is most likely that the email you received was a scam. Typically, the way it works is that someone hacks into a person's email or social media account and takes over. Had you sent money, it would not likely have reached your friend because she no longer has control over that account.

It is odd that she didn't answer her phone, but there's no telling why. Since you two are not close friends and have not been in communication for a long time, it all seems a bit fishy. You were right to not send money. If she shows up again, either by phone or in person, you can ask her about this situation. Otherwise, stand down. There's something off about this that places her either as the potential victim or as a participant.

DEAR HARRIETTE: My husband and I get in huge fights about what we are going to watch on TV. We do not share programming tastes at all. We have two TVs in the house, but what happens is we end up never in the same room because he's holed up in one room watching his shows, and I'm in the other. I have tried to get us to be in the same room, offering to watch his show sometimes and suggesting that we take turns. He wants nothing to do with that. I don't think that's fair. We need to spend more time together, though. Help! -- Stubborn Screens, Chicago

DEAR STUBBORN SCREENS: Why not make times when both TVs are off? Choose to wean yourselves off of constant TV so that you can spend time together, enjoying each other's company. It may be hard to resist turning the box on at first, but it is worth it.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have double-booked myself for two really important events, and now I am in a terrible position. I promised to participate in a friend's retirement dinner. I am so happy for her, and now I feel terrible. She wants me to speak at the event, but I have to work. My boss asked me to take on a new project, and I agreed without realizing the time conflict. When I mentioned the conflict to him, he said too bad. The only possibility is for my part to be early in the evening at my friend's retirement party and then rush over to work. But I doubt she wants to change her plans. How can I broach this with her? -- Torn, Detroit

DEAR TORN: Consider it a blessing that there is even a chance that you can attend and possibly participate in a tiny part of your friend's event. Reach out to her and tell her your predicament. Apologize for the mix-up. Be clear that this is your job and that you have to be there. Suggest that you can come for a few minutes and possibly do whatever formal presentation your friend has requested, but that you cannot stay.

Being honest is what's most important. If that means, by the way, that it actually is too much for you to do a drive-by at your friend's party, tell her that. You have to be responsible for yourself first. She is retiring from a full life of working. If anyone should understand, she should be the one.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I got into a huge argument with my boyfriend on the street the other night. We were coming home from a party and we had both had a few drinks. He got mad at me about something that I said to him, and the next thing you know, he was screaming and cursing at me at the top of his lungs. I have noticed that he gets loud and somewhat out of control when he has been drinking. This is scary to me, and I don't like it at all. Do you think it should be a deal breaker? We've been talking about building a life together, but I swear I never imagined that someone who is supposed to be "my man" would be yelling and cursing at me in the middle of the street. -- Deal Breaker, Chicago

DEAR DEAL BREAKER: Talk to your guy when he is sober and be frank about what you have observed and that it concerns you. Tell him that you think his extreme behavior occurs when he's drinking. Ask him if he would be willing to stop drinking and get help. If he agrees, work with him to see if he can get sober and if sobriety changes his behavior.

Be clear with him, though, that you are unwilling to commit your life to him if he continues to speak to you in an abusive manner. You deserve better than that.