Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/513039
DILBERT ScottAdams PEARLSBEFORESWINE StephanPastis PICKLES BrianCrane BABYBLUES JerryScott&RickKirkman PHOEBEANDHERUNICORN DanaSimpson ZITS JerryScott&JimBorgman SHERMAN'SLAGOON JimToomey ARGYLESWEATER ScottHilburn BIZARRO DanPiraro DEARAMY»Myhusband and I have been mar- ried for seven years. We still have separate bank accounts. I opened one joint account to which I deposit money monthly for our bills and expenses. My husband owns the house we live in and he pays the mortgage. He is more free-spend- ing than I am and this is causing us problems. I have my own accounts, I feel I have the right to do as I wish with my funds, whether to lend to family or pay for my own expenses. He spends his own funds for whatever he needs; sometimes he shares this information with me but I hardly ever question what he spends on. He, on the other hand, feels I should include him in the decisions I make with my finances. Does this seem fair to you? Am I out of line? —NotSeeingEyeto Eye DEAR NOT SEEING » I don't think you are out of line, but there are also valid reasons for both of you to be more transparent. You two would both benefit from meeting with an accountant and/ or financial planner, who could review your income and investment/retire- ment accounts, in order to start the all-important process of retirement planning. Part of this pro- cess should be for both of you to build in separate savings and the privacy to spend or save. You should also review the laws in your state regarding com- munity property. One reason to be more transparent is so you can each have some aware- ness of loans/gifts. This protects you from having family members approach each of you for money — counting on your secrecy to double-dip. I like the approach of building a "family fund" together and making these loans/ gifts as a couple. A book you and your husband should read is, " 'Til Money Do Us Part: Financial Planning for Couples," by Maureen Richardson (2013, Motiva- tional Press). DEAR AMY » Responding to the letter from "A House Divided by Noise," I think the parents who are bothered by the noise generated by their daugh- ter's friends should add a "mini" kitchen to the basement rec room — a counter for a microwave and prep space, with a dorm-sized refrigerator below and cabinets for snacks and supplies. Or the parents and kids could swap rooms — kids in the den and parents in the basement. The parents could join the teens in the kitchen briefly to say hello when snacks are being served there. — Been There DEAR BEEN THERE » The parents who wrote to me had already created a recreational place for their teen kids (and their friends) in their base- ment. I was advocating more interaction between these parents and teens — not less. This way, the parents can tell the kids to pipe down, without relying on their daughter to do it. Couple cannot agree on being financially transparent You can contact Amy Dickinson via email: askamy@tribune.com and follow her on Twitter @askingamy. Amy Dickinson Ask Amy Sudoku Instructions:Theobjectistoplacethe numbers1to9intheemptysquaresso thateachrow,eachcolumnandeach 3x3boxcontainsthenumberonlyonce. AnswertoPreviousPuzzle CelebrityCipher ByLuisCampos Instructions:CelebrityCiphercryptogramsarecreatedfromquotationsbyfamouspeople, pastandpresent.Eachletterinthecipherstandsforanother. NEACrossword Taurus(April20-May20) — Money matters will be your strong suit. Going over your personal documents will reveal a hidden asset or benefit. A minor health issue is best taken care of quickly. Gemini (May 21-June 20) — Question someone's mo- tives. Make sure that you have the right information before you decide to make a change. To sever a partnership because of a misunderstanding would lead to a loss. Cancer (June 21-July 22) — Your efficient and dedicated manner will be an asset to any organization you join. Volun- teering for a local group will showcase your strong points. Additional offers are likely to follow. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) — Professional or personal pres- sures will weigh you down. Look for something new to explore that will lighten your mood. Up- date your look or surroundings. Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Regardless of the relationship you have with someone, don't agree to settle anyone else's debts or shortages. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — Current events will be confusing or distressing. Remember the things you used to enjoy and make a point to do them again. Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — Don't hesitate to accept an offer. Minor household changes will be necessary, but in the end the benefits will outweigh the negative aspects. You will be recognized for helping others. Sagittarius (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — Don't expect one of your ideas to turn out as planned. Complaining won't help matters, but fixing what went wrong will. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Deception is evident. Rumors will surface if you are too free with personal information. Keep your private matters a secret to avoid stirring up jealousy and suffering regret. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — Get out and about and enjoy what life has to offer. Your finances may limit what you can do, so use your imagination to arrange an inexpensive form of entertainment. Pisces (Feb. 20-March 20) — Be agreeable, but don't be a pushover. You will lose respect if you allow others to place unreasonable demands on you. Sometimes, you have to say no. Aries (March 21-April 19) — Take on a challenge. Get together with close friends or competitors. Whether it involves sports, physical activity or men- tal stimulation, you will end up in the winner's circle. Horoscope By Eugenia Last SATURDAY, MAY 16 SATURDAY, MAY 16, 2015 REDBLUFFDAILYNEWS.COM |YOURDAILYBREAK | 7 B