DEAR HARRIETTE: I feel one among my mates may be working for a pyramid scheme.
I can’t make sure, however he principally performs the function of a monetary adviser and “helps” folks make investments their cash. Once they flip a revenue, he will get a proportion. The extra they make investments, the extra he will get paid.
He provided me his companies lately — encouraging me, actually pushing me, to take the leap and make investments.
I felt uneasy about it, so I did some analysis, and the corporate has a horrible status in response to evaluations on Google and the Higher Enterprise Bureau.
I’m upset as a result of it seems like he hoped to revenue off of my ignorance, however he doesn’t appear to get it. How can I clarify to him that his firm is profiting from weak folks?
— Dodging Scams
DEAR DODGING SCAMS: Speak to your buddy and maintain it private.
Inform him that you just needed to have the ability to assist him in his new enterprise, however one thing felt off about it to you, so you probably did some analysis. Present him what you discovered. Pull up the Higher Enterprise Bureau and Google data. Don’t simply inform him your considerations. Let him see for himself what the evaluations have been.
Categorical your real concern that he’s making an attempt to get harmless folks, mates even — identical to you — to put money into one thing that doesn’t appear secure. Inform him you’re uninterested, and additional, that you just really feel it’s unethical for him to do that contemplating what you’ve gotten realized in regards to the firm.
DEAR HARRIETTE: I’m developing on the one-year anniversary of shedding my mother.
I’ve by no means misplaced somebody so near me earlier than, and I’m actually not all that shut with the remainder of my household. A part of me needs to do one thing in her honor. The 12 months glided by so quick, maybe as a result of I’m nonetheless grieving. I simply don’t know what to do, although.
She was cremated, so there’s no burial web site to go to, and a celebration appears bizarre, however I don’t simply need to sit at dwelling alone on the day in query.
Have you ever ever put collectively any anniversary memorials? What can I do this’s small and intimate, celebratory however nonetheless respectful?
— Grieving Son
DEAR GRIEVING SON: Do you’ve gotten mates or different family members who knew your mom? Maybe you may create a small gathering with individuals who know you nicely and would recognize honoring your mom. Host a small dinner the place you serve her favourite meals and have a toast in her honor.
What you do doesn’t should be fancy. It really is the thought that counts.
You might also need to prolong the invitation to relations. It’s possible you’ll be shocked that some might need to attend. Your mom’s passing may flip right into a renewal of closeness in your loved ones. Who is aware of?
Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founding father of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to assist folks entry and activate their desires. You may ship questions toaskharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas Metropolis, MO 64106.
