Introducing Dear Penny, an Advice Column for Your Awkward Money Dilemmas

Who do you ask when you have questions about money? Not just questions about dollars and cents, and compounding interest, but the questions about how to deal with money when you also have to deal with the rest of your life at the same time?

Your mom? Your best friend? Or do you find yourself Googling into the dark night because you’re too embarrassed to ask anyone?

Here at The Penny Hoarder, we like to give actionable money advice that doesn’t take an economics degree to apply to your daily life. But a list of should-dos doesn’t always solve the complexities of our individual relationships with money.

Need Some Money Advice? Ask Penny

So let’s give out some tailored advice, shall we? Write to Penny when you’re not sure who else to ask for help with your money conundrums.

Here are a few examples of topics you might ask Penny about:

• How to justify that pricy reunion trip with your college friends — or gracefully bow out of it

• What to do about in-laws who don’t share your same financial values

• Whether to spend big bucks on wardrobe staples or keep shopping the discount racks

• How to approach your spouse who you suspect has a money secret

• *Insert Career Worries Here*

Worried about sending your questions and concerns through the internet? Don’t be. We’ll keep all inquiries anonymous.

Worried about trusting a millennial, an alleged killer of cereal, department stores and napkins? Don’t be.

Let me put it this way: I had a completely normal upbringing before ruining it with bad relationships and college blunders. I’ve had a full-time job, owned a business and been a freelancer —and I’ve managed to recover from embarrassments and financial blunders in all of the above situations. I’ve made a lot of money mistakes in my short life, and I promise not to yell at you if you tell me about yours.

I’ve been here before, and I know the way out.

The inbox is open. Send your worries to [email protected], and I’ll see what I can do to help.

Disclaimer: Chosen questions and featured answers will appear in The Penny Hoarder’s “Dear Penny” column. I won’t be able to answer every single letter (I can only type so fast!). We reserve the right to edit and publish your questions. Don’t worry — your identity will remain anonymous. I don’t have a psychology, accounting, finance or legal degree, so my advice is for general informational purposes only. I do, however, promise to give you honest advice based on my own insights and real-life experiences.