Two Day Magazine

Dear Natalie,

I was a bit taken aback when my male friend wasn't willing to pay for the movie when my teen joined us. I went ahead and paid for all three of us-but I was really a bit shocked! I have been seeing this gentleman for four months now. Should I say something or just blow it off. I thought it was really petty. He did go ahead and pay for the food and drinks at the movies, though. Am I being a big baby or not?

--Who Pays?

Dear Natalie,

My boyfriend and I just split up and I am really upset about it. He totally cheated on me and I caught him. The shittiest part is, we exchanged Christmas gifts early this year because he is heading overseas to visit family. I got him a really great watch the NIGHT BEFORE I find out he has been cheating. I kind of want it back to return it (it was expensive!) Is it totally tacky to ask for it back? He leaves tomorrow and won’t be back for ten days.

--Give it Back

****This question came from my appearance on the Dr. Radio Show, Sirius XM Channel 81: The Sexual Health Hour with Dr. Miriam Greene (who is so fantastic!) on Oct. 3, 2011****

Dear Natalie,

I am engaged and in a long distance relationship with a man who makes more money than me. I feel as though the power is off in the relationship. Not only does he make more money, but he also travels quite frequently for work (he is a truck driver) and is gone a good part of the week. I quit my second job to spend more time with him, and I am in school, as well. I’m 20, he is 21. He talks to whoever he wants (including a 14-year-old girl that he has been speaking to.) but doesn’t allow me to have very many friends, especially guy friends. I don’t know why I am not allowed to have guy friends, and the fact that he has so many “girl friends” is really bothering me. What should I do? I am worried I am in a controlling relationship.

--Wants Love

Dear Natalie,

If I move in to my boyfriend's apartment, should I offer to pay half of the rent? He hasn’t mentioned how we are going to split the bills and I am feeling pretty awkward about it. Any tips to make this less weird? I’m willing to contribute to the household.

--Benjamin

Dear Natalie,

My fiance and I have just moved in together and we were wondering if we should combine our incomes into one checking account or keep separate accounts? I say we should keep separate accounts, but he thinks we should combine them. Who’s right?

-His and Hers

Dear Natalie,

I recently lost my job and my girlfriend has hinted that she doesn’t want to date someone that “can’t take care of himself or her.” She is a administrative assistant and doesn’t make much money and I was bringing in quite a lot more than her. But, we have been dating for over a year and it really is bothering me that she is basically threatening to end things if I don’t find employment---and soon. Am I overreacting or is she acting like an awful person?

-Unemployed and Depressed

Dear Natalie,

My boyfriend and I are considering moving in together to save money. Do you think this is a good reason to live together? He seems ready, but I am a little concerned we are rushing into things...

-No More Bachelor Pad

Dear Natalie,

My parents are Jewish and they are insistent that I find a wife within the community. But, I’ve had a girlfriend for years who isn’t Jewish and has no interest in converting. I want to ask her to marry me, but I know my parents are totally against it and I don’t want to hurt them. But, the clock is ticking and I want to start a family. What are your thoughts? I’m thinking if I do marry my girlfriend, my parents may cut me out of the pretty substantial inheritance I would eventually lay claim to.

-For Love or Money

Dear Natalie,

My best girlfriend just got engaged to a very wealthy man. He got her a huge diamond for her engagement and she has been flaunting it ever since. My boyfriend of almost two years and I have talked marriage, but no ring. He could never afford the kind of ring by friend has gotten and I have been feeling really jealous of her lately. I don’t want to act this way. What can I do to change my outlook and be happy for her?

-Green Eyes

Dear Natalie,

I am in a relationship with someone that I love very much. We have been together for two years, but as we get closer to taking the “next step” I am starting to question our future together. We have very different lifestyles and I wonder...is love enough to keep us together in the long run?

-What About Love

Dear Natalie,

My fiance and I are in the process of buying a new home. He wants something small, a townhouse or a condo since neither of us have ever lived on our own together. I, however, want SPACE. I want a large yard, at least three bedrooms and a large living area and kitchen. He thinks it is overkill and unreasonable, especially because the price tag basically will double in the neighborhoods we are looking at. We both have good jobs and I think we should go all out with our first home. We both don’t want kids for at least 3-4 years and he doesn’t see the need for all that space. What do you think? I want this squared away before we tie the knot in four months.

-Space VS Small

Dear Natalie,

My close friend has asked me to be in her wedding next year. While I am very flattered, I recently lost my job and money has been very tight. The dress that she has picked out for the wedding is about $600 and I simply can’t afford that (let alone all the other accouterments that go with dress...hair, make-up, shoes, alterations...you get the picture...). Is it rude of me to tell her that I will be unable to be in the bridal party? I still want to attend her wedding, of course, but I just don’t think I can swing it financially. What do you suggest?

-Theoretical Bridesmaid

Dear Natalie,

I know we live in an age where women are supposed to want to be completely independent and do everything on their own, but is it so wrong that sometimes I want to be taken care of by a man and treated like a lady? The rules have me so confused that I feel guilty for wanting a man to run the show.

-1950s Chick

Dear Natalie,

I just started dating “Tim” and I really like him. We have been dating now for three months and everything was going great. But, recently, I discovered that Tim hasn’t been paying child support (he has a daughter, 9, with his ex-wife) for months now. He and his ex are in a big fight about custody of their daughter and he wants more time and she won’t give him more time. So, he decided to stop paying child support in retaliation. Of course, they are going to court and he is going to be in trouble if he doesn’t start paying, but it got me to thinking....do I want to be with a guy who has these kinds of problems with his ex and his child? It really showed a new side of him to me and now I am worried I have made a bad decision by being with him. What are your thoughts?

Child Support

Dear Natalie,

My wife and I have been married for six years and have a three-year old daughter. My wife is a stay-at-home mom and has decided that she wants to go to law school in the next two years. I don’t feel comfortable with this. I own a very successful business and make a very good living. There is no reason for her to work and I would like to have another child. How do I tell her that I am against the idea of her working?

-Makes Enough