Q: My husband and I have "filet mignon tastes," although our current incomes are more on the "artisan hamburger" level. We both work full-time and are trying to pay off debt while looking for better jobs. It's exhausting -- do you have any ideas?

Jim: I think your scenario is pretty common. The money comes in, the money goes out, and for a lot of us there's not much left over when it's all said and done. It's a never-ending cycle that leaves many families wondering how to get ahead when they're barely keeping up.

Far too many people can only think of one solution to that problem: make more money. A little extra cash may ease some of our immediate stress, but it usually isn't a long-term solution for debt. That's because the more money we earn, the more we're likely to elevate our standard of living. But more stuff means more spending, and around it goes. It's little wonder that couples at all income levels -- even the wealthy -- often feel the squeeze of debt.

Ultimately, there's only one solution that works. That is to learn how to live on less than what we make, no matter our income level. Admittedly, that can require some tough choices that force us to dig deep, sacrifice and change long-ingrained habits. On one end of the financial scale, it may mean downsizing our home or selling a car. On the smaller end, maybe we choose to eat out fewer times or limit our entertainment choices.

Living within our means might not fill our lives with material luxury. But it will give us a different kind of luxury that's priceless: contentment and peace instead of stress.

We have many resources and tips to help you get a handle on finances -- and lifestyle -- at FocusOnTheFamily.com.

Q: My daughter is really looking forward to summer camp -- but is also very nervous about it. How can I help her?

Dr. Danny Huerta, Vice President, Parenting & Youth: It's common for kids to feel nervous when they're getting ready to go to camp, especially if it's their first time being away from home for an extended period of time. If your child reacts anxiously to life in general, it's understandable if she's nervous about going to camp.

Here are three things you can do to help your child as she considers going to camp this year.

Listen. Ask your daughter to share her fears. Write those things down and talk about them. This will help her feel heard and will keep you both on track as she overcomes her fears. You learn a lot about your kids' thoughts by having them talk about their fears.

Validate. You can boost your daughter's confidence by helping her make sense of how she is feeling. For example, you can say, "If you think you'll be lonely or left out, it makes perfect sense that you would feel nervous. Tell me WHY you think that might happen?" Validating helps her know she's heard, understood and not crazy.

Challenge. Provide your child with alternative thoughts. If she says, "What if no one likes me?" you can challenge that by saying, "That would be tough and would feel scary. BUT what if you make a new friend on this trip? I'm proud of you for challenging yourself. Let's plan on celebrating after the camp."

You also get to practice patience as you manage situations that seem scary to your child. As you patiently approach these moments with your daughter, you're strengthening the trust between you.

For more information about how to address new situations like camp, go to FocusOnParenting.com.

Jim Daly is a husband and father, an author, and president of Focus on the Family and host of the Focus on the Family radio program. Catch up with him at www.jimdalyblog.com or at www.facebook.com/DalyFocus.

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Q: At a recent family gathering, I felt overshadowed and inadequate around other women. I feel like a complete failure because my sisters and female cousins all have satisfying careers -- but I'm just a mom. How do I know I'm not wasting my life?

Jim: I've noticed that mothers often focus on their own shortcomings and minimize the role they play in their children's lives. I don't believe those perceptions are accurate, although I can certainly understand what drives them. On the surface, it's hard to see much glamour in fixing meal after meal or constantly picking up toys all over the house.

But I strongly agree with author Lisa-Jo Baker who calls mothers "modern day superheroes." Maybe their capes look a little tattered at the end of a long day of runny noses and laundry. Still, moms deserve to be acclaimed with superhero status.

That's because there is nothing ordinary about motherhood. Moms aren't simply changing sheets and diapers; they're molding character. That's captured in the famous verse by poet William Ross Wallace titled "The Hand that Rocks the Cradle is the Hand That Rules the World." Wallace's point is that beginning at birth, mom's influence has significant impact on what any person -- and especially the "great and powerful" -- will eventually become. Remember: every famous world-changer has had (and will have) a mother.

Sure, directing the course of a child's life is no easy task. On any given day, a lot of moms may feel like they are doing an inadequate job. But remember this: Motherhood isn't challenging because you're bad at it. It's challenging because -- like no other role in life -- it requires sacrificing your own wants and desires on behalf of others.

So, mothers, give yourself some grace. Laying down your life for your children takes more than "just a mom." It takes a true superhero.

Q: My wife keeps talking about how she wants "more intimacy" in our marriage. I'm definitely all for the physical part, but she says she means a lot more than that. I guess our relationship can improve; I'm just not a touchy-feely guy. So ... what am I supposed to do?

Dr. Greg Smalley, Vice President, Marriage & Family Formation: I'd suggest the concept will become clearer if you pronounce the word a different way. Instead of "intimacy," say it like this: "INTO ME, SEE."

Far too many marriages get sidetracked when each spouse focuses only on their own point of view. They disagree on what temperature the house should be. He wants to unwind at the end of the day in front of a screen; she craves interaction with another adult after a day with the kids. One's a saver; one's a spender. Before they know it, both husband and wife start wondering if they should have gotten married at all, or whether there's any hope for the relationship.

If that sounds like your marriage, a great way to turn things around is to remember that little phrase, "Into me, see." It's about learning to "see into" one another's hearts. That's what true intimacy is really all about -- understanding life from your mate's perspective.

So -- what are you supposed to do? Work on appreciating what makes your wife tick, and look for ways you can put her needs ahead of your own. And don't be afraid to take the first step. As you learn what makes your spouse feel loved and valued -- and act on that knowledge -- you'll fan the flame of your entire relationship.

Our organization has tons of resources, tools and tips to help you jump-start this process and move toward deeper intimacy in all areas. See FocusOnTheFamily.com/Marriage.

Jim Daly is a husband and father, an author, and president of Focus on the Family and host of the Focus on the Family radio program. Catch up with him at www.jimdalyblog.com or at www.facebook.com/DalyFocus.

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Q: I'm getting close to retirement, but I don't feel "old." Still, I'm slightly concerned about how leaving the workforce might affect me. Do you have any thoughts?

Jim: The late actor George Burns -- who lived to be 100 -- once said, "You can't help getting older, but you don't have to get old." I think his point was that aging gracefully requires learning how to navigate a few challenges along the way.

If we live long enough, each of us will eventually experience some painful seasons of life -- an empty nest, the death of a loved one or perhaps the necessity of leaving a home that's filled with memories. Those are significant moments that involve processing very real grief.

That's why it's critical to learn healthy ways to deal with difficult life changes. Surround yourself with supportive people who will come alongside you in your struggles. The opposite facet is just as important: Be careful about people who bring too much negativity to your life. Perhaps they're critical or try too hard to "fix" you and your circumstances. You might need to distance yourself from influences like that.

Meanwhile, an often-overlooked factor is that basic self-care can help minimize stress levels more than many people think. So be sure to get plenty of rest and exercise.

Hopefully, you have many productive years ahead of you -- you'll just be "producing" in a different way. Along those lines, there's immeasurable, life-giving value in finding ways to invest your time-won wisdom in younger generations through church, community groups and other venues.

Whether or not we live to 100, our lives can still be rich and fulfilling if we accept that even unwelcome change is an opportunity to grow. A positive, hopeful attitude is key to thriving in the new seasons of life that inevitably come along.

Q: My kids are SO tired of school, but the academic year is not over yet. What can I do to help them be motivated to finish strong?

Dr. Danny Huerta, Vice President, Parenting & Youth: The end of the school year can be tough for kids. Summer is right around the corner and motivation to finish drops. Phones, sports, work and video games can all be distractions as kids try to focus on the end of the school year.

It's perfectly normal for students to look forward to summer. But they also need to learn how to pursue responsibility when they don't feel like it.

Here are three ways you can support your child as they finish this school year:

Problem Solve Together. What motivates you? What motivates your children? Some kids may begin to struggle with anxiety and/or depression for the first time as school ends due to academic or social stress. Talk about why they may be struggling and provide necessary support.

Establish Clear Boundaries. Your kids long for clear and consistent structure and boundaries -- even if they say they don't. Talk about expectations and write down the consequences (positive and negative) that will happen if they do or don't own their responsibilities.

Compliment. Sometimes we forget how far genuine praise can go with our kids. In fact, we tend to be quick to correct and slow to compliment. Let them know you're paying attention to their decision-making. Surprise them with a compliment and fist bump, dinner out or a huge hug. Remember that this is not a reward, it's a celebration of their great decision-making.

You know your child the best, and you get to teach the lesson of powering through even when they don't feel like it. To learn more about building healthy momentum for your family, go to FocusOnParenting.com.

Jim Daly is a husband and father, an author, and president of Focus on the Family and host of the Focus on the Family radio program. Catch up with him at www.jimdalyblog.com or at www.facebook.com/DalyFocus.

INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT SECURED. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.