DEAR HARRIETTE: I chose to go to a university in another state. The tuition is very expensive, and recently my family has hit a rough financial patch. My parents originally gave me their blessing to leave the state, and my mom has a plan to pretend we live in Florida to give me in-state tuition. My older sister is calling me selfish for allowing my mom to go through with this plan because it is illegal. I reminded my sister that our mother told me I could go to the school, so our parents will figure out the financial aspect. I feel bad being the reason my mother is breaking the law, but she told me I could go. What should I do? -- Small-Town Budget, Madison, Wisconsin
DEAR SMALL-TOWN BUDGET: As you might imagine, I cannot suggest that you or your mother break the law. I can tell you what some other people have done that is effective and not illegal. If your mother knows someone in the neighboring state who would let her live there, at least part-time, so that she legitimately has an address in that state, do that. Perhaps your mom can spend weekends at the house or come once a week or so. I know a family who actually moved to a different state and lived with friends for four years so their child could go to school for a dramatic discount. You can figure this out without breaking the law.