Pamela Fay, businessWrites

You think your boyfriend is lying when he tells you where he's been, who he was with or even what he ate for lunch. Once you hear a single lie, it may be a long time before you believe anything he tells you. Your boyfriend may tell lies to avoid conflict or to spare your feelings, but lying erodes trust. If you catch your boyfriend telling a little white lie, there are ways to handle it. Keep your sanity in check, and know how to move forward. Do not investigate the lie. You will not accomplish

Traditionally, baby showers were held only for women expecting their first baby. The etiquette surrounding baby showers has changed, however, and almost anything goes as long as the guest of honor is on board. These days, the shower may include male co-workers and spouses. It may also include the children of guests. You might even host a baby shower where kids are the main guests. For example, the mother-to-be may have older children, nieces and nephews who want to be part of the festivities. Pe

With many structured after-school activities from which to choose, many kids still spend plenty of time at home with little or nothing to do. Left to their own devices, they may spend mindless hours planted in front of the television or grazing through the kitchen cabinets. As energetic as they can be, even kids need...

Valentine’s Day brings high expectations for love and romance. But every year, you do the same old thing: a card, a dozen roses, and dinner. In 2001, the roses alone set you back $76 on average, according to the Society of American Florists. Although you may not be able to break with tradition on the roses, there are more romantic—and cheaper— ideas than dinner. If it truly is the thought that counts, your sweetheart will...

Just one large activity, like a retreat, can wipe out a youth group’s treasury account. But, teen activities don’t have to break the bank. With a little creativity, there are a number of free—or nearly free--activities that you and your youth group can put together with minimal stress and even fewer dollars. Before you ask parents to fork over...

Are you haunted by memories of selling candy bars or cookies to strangers door to door? Good news! Fund raising does not have to entail the miserable experience of pounding the pavement in your neighborhood. If your school, civic organization or charity needs money, try...

You have a birthday party or some other gift-giving occasion to attend and the gift recipient is a girl. Worst still, she’s a discerning girl and you have no idea what type of gift she would like. The best news is that there are gifts you can select for even the pickiest of girls. You don’t have to break the bank and you may not even have to...

If you lead a Girl Scout meeting, you know that the girls sometimes arrive early. It’s a good idea to keep them occupied until the meeting begins. You can make the pre-meeting time productive and, at the same time, encourage the group to get to know girls outside of their immediate social circle. Pre-meeting activities, suitable for ages up to 12, also help to discourage behaviors that are destructive or potentially harmful, such as...

It’s your boyfriend’s birthday. You want to do something romantic for the occasion. According to Doug Fields, author of Creative Romance, men define romance differently than women. They want mystery, intrigue, sensuality, lingerie, and passion. So much for the bubble bath and candlelight dinner you planned, right? Well, not so fast. Kate White, editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan magazine says...

It’s your birthday and your loved ones want to know what gift to buy for you. You have everything you need and most of what you want. But, if you don’t give them some good ideas, you are likely to buy you yet another mall gift certificate. They are going to get you something whether you like it or not. So, make it something you really could use. And, no, your birthday gift doesn’t have to...

When children are out of school, here’s a plan to keep them engaged, even productive, without getting on a plane. If you don’t have a travel budget, you can still use a passport. You can create one in no time at all. It will keep your little ones active and channel their energies in any...