Dear Abby: Boyfriend pays very cheap rent, and now I know why

DEAR ABBY: I moved in with my boyfriend, “Greg,” three years ago into the tiny but very economical house he rents. It’s cheaper than all other rentals in our area and allows us to save for a home of our own one day. However, after many months, I have discovered to my dismay that our landlord is the mother of his ex-girlfriend. And the ex is acting manager of the property we live on! This means that, for as long as I’ve lived here, Greg’s ex and her mom have been in frequent contact with him and are an inescapable part of our lives.

Greg gets along fine with them and doesn’t want to move because of high rents elsewhere, but I’m very uncomfortable with the awkwardness of our living situation. Am I being too sensitive, or should my boyfriend never have lived there in the first place? — UNCOMFORTABLE IN MICHIGAN

DEAR UNCOMFORTABLE: Now, now ... let’s keep our eye on the goal line. Your boyfriend’s objective (and yours) is to save enough money to eventually own a place of your own. His ex and her mother are a means to an end. It would be a big mistake not to recognize that they could be charging far more for your lodgings. Concentrate on that and stop looking a gift horse in the mouth.

DEAR ABBY: I recently hosted a large family for a week in our home. On our last day together, the mother asked if she could run “a quick load” of laundry. I said OK, figuring she might be running low on unmentionables.

Abby, she did FIVE large loads of laundry and spent half of our last day together folding everything up and packing their bags for home. I wouldn’t deny anyone a quick load, but I think she took advantage of me. I was very disappointed that our last day together was wasted doing laundry. Is this a “thing” now? Your thoughts, please. — HUNG OUT TO DRY IN ARIZONA

DEAR HUNG OUT: You were trying to be helpful, and the woman did take advantage of your generosity by mischaracterizing her intentions. If, however, you had other plans for the last morning of the visit, when you saw her start her second (or third) load, you should have spoken up and drawn the line.

DEAR ABBY: At a recent children’s birthday party, my adult daughters were approached by a family acquaintance about getting bone marrow tested. This acquaintance told them he is dying and desperate for a donor match. My daughters were, of course, very sad to hear his story and willingly submitted to the cheek swab, but I want to get your opinion. — PUT ON THE SPOT

DEAR PUT ON THE SPOT: If you are hoping I will tell you that what that dying man did was wrong, I can’t do that. People with a terminal illness will grasp at any straw they can find to have more precious time on this side of the sod. That your daughters agreed to be tested was generous and kind. You have raised two terrific daughters, and I applaud them.

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

Abby shares more than 100 of her favorite recipes in two booklets: “Abby’s Favorite Recipes” and “More Favorite Recipes by Dear Abby.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $16 (U.S. funds), to: Dear Abby, Cookbooklet Set, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)