DEAR HARRIETTE: I am 25 years old, and I just finished my master’s degree. I want to start my own businesses from home. I’ve begun an online closet, and I am studying to receive my real estate license. I still live at home with my family and pay a majority of the bills because I happen to be the biggest breadwinner. Lately, I’ve been feeling congested -- like I don’t have my own workspace to develop. Since quarantine, I do everything within my small bedroom: sleep, relax, work, exercise. I have nowhere else to extend myself. I need a desk with a workspace and a place to keep my store inventory separate. Living in New York City is expensive, and I can’t find anywhere affordable to move. What are my options? -- Living in a Box

DEAR LIVING IN A BOX: Patience is key here. It would be best for you to get one of your businesses off the ground and making money before you take on more debt. Can you give yourself 12 to 18 months to work toward this goal? If you can do that, you will likely have a better chance to make a smooth transition to independence.

You should also look outside of New York City proper for housing that may be more affordable. Consider getting a roommate. I know you share space with your family now, but moving in with a roommate may seem like a luxury compared to your current situation.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I just got back from my hair appointment at my usual salon. When I made the appointment, they said their protocol is that I had to come with clean, dry hair. There would be no shampooing or blow drying -- what they call a dry haircut. So I went in to get my haircut, and when going to pay, not only did they charge their normal fee ($65) but an additional $3 for their costs for PPE. I totally understand they have been closed down since March, but is it right to charge full price when you’re only getting two-thirds of the service? They are using no shampoo, conditioner, electricity to dry -- not even any hairspray! I would think they would adjust their prices accordingly. I love my hairdresser, but I will NOT be going back. Am I right to be annoyed? Maybe there’s something I’m missing? -- Price Gouging

DEAR PRICE GOUGING: Your hairdresser made one critical mistake by not telling you everything about the new protocols, including the price for reduced services. Yes, it is understandable that they need to figure out how to make up for lost time. The challenge is going to be how to do so without offending their customers. You should speak to them and lodge your complaint. Ask for whatever compromise you want before completely walking away. If enough people complain, they may amend their policy. If not, it is likely that you can find a hairdresser with different pricing for services.

(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)

DEAR HARRIETTE: My friend and I got engaged in the same week and chose our 2021 wedding dates one week apart. Once we got hit with COVID, I pushed my date back one year, and my friend got married early in the courthouse. She approached me asking about my wedding date and if I intended on keeping the same date for 2022. She wanted to renew her vows with a full wedding -- no longer on the original date she had chosen, but one week earlier, on my original 2021 date. She asked me only after I told her of the one-year postponement. This began a conflict and was a problem for me. As close friends and each other’s bridesmaids, I would not want us to deliberately get married on the same date, even one year apart. What should I do? -- It’s My Wedding Date

DEAR IT’S MY WEDDING DATE: Now’s the time to put your foot down, especially since your friend wants to claim the date you have reserved, and it is NOT her original wedding date. Be firm that you selected the date and that you want to reserve it as your unique wedding date and anniversary -- not to be shared with her. Suggest that she switch to her anniversary date or some other time.

Hopefully by 2022, COVID-19 won’t remain a threat to society. Just in case, know that many wedding planners are offering video services for couples so that they can marry no matter what.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I just turned 18 years old. I’ve wanted a tattoo for as long as I can remember, but my parents are against it. They say that it could disqualify me from getting a job or give a negative representation of myself. I’ve tried many times to reason with them that it is 2020 and things are different now; companies are more lenient when it comes to personal appearances. I can always cover my tattoos in the workplace, but it really just comes down to what career path I choose, and I don’t know what that is yet. I don’t think a tattoo will have as big an effect as they assume. Are tattoos still frowned upon in the workforce? -- 18 Now

DEAR 18 NOW: I’m old-school like your parents. I believe it does make a difference if you have visible tattoos -- depending on the type of job or career path you ultimately choose. Is it worth it to get a tattoo anyway? It is your choice. A compromise might be getting a small tattoo in a discreet area, at least for now. In that way, it won't stand in your way as you navigate your future.

An opposing view I have heard plenty of times is that there are so many career options these days that there should be a job for you no matter what markings you put on your skin. That may be true, but from my perspective, I think you can have a bit of patience. Wait until you figure how where you think you are headed and what is expected there before you create a roadblock that could make it harder for you to reach your goal.

(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)

DEAR HARRIETTE: It is so hot in my house right now that I can hardly bear it. It is impossible to get on a Zoom call for work and look professional when all I’m doing is sweating all day. I feel bad about this, but it’s true. I have not turned the camera on for a few days. I’m hoping that the heat wave will pass soon, but I’m not sure it will. What do you recommend that I do in this situation? My boss likes to see our faces at these meetings, but I don’t think anybody wants to see me sitting there sweating. -- Overheated

DEAR OVERHEATED: No need to be embarrassed. A heat wave has swept our country. There have been waves of extremely hot days in the past few weeks that have made many thousands of people miserable. Check in privately with your boss and share that you are definitely a team player, but you feel the best way to show up professionally during this uncomfortable period is to be off camera with the exception, if necessary, of turning on your camera when you speak. Hopefully your boss will be understanding. If not, present yourself as comfortably and professionally as possible. Wear light-colored clothing, drink cool water and use a fan if you have one.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I got a random call from a former colleague recently. She said she had been thinking about me and wanted to look me up. That was nice, but also awkward. We were never close. As I recall, we were pretty competitive.

I am suspicious about why she is calling me now. She said she thought of me because of the times. She had made a list of people she cares about and wanted to check in with during COVID-19 when everybody is at home. That sounded sweet, but I am not sure. Should I take her overture at face value? Should I try to strike up a friendship with her? How should I read this out-of-the-blue call? -- COVID Call

DEAR COVID CALL: I subscribe to the idea that, especially now during this elongated period of quarantine, it is smart to make lists of people you care about and to check in with them. I started with my closest circle of family and friends, then created a couple of other circles of people I care about. In part I did this to make sure that people were OK. I also had the thought that as people are sequestered at home, they may appreciate a connection to someone who cares about them.

Consider that your former colleague may have good intentions. Take her overture at face value, and receive her entreaty as an act of kindness and connection. You don’t need to strike up a friendship with her. Just ask her how she’s managing during these times. Have a pleasant conversation, and keep it moving. I believe that some good is emerging out of this extremely difficult time, and that is that some people are appealing to their humanity and looking to make real connections with others.

(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)