atomicdoug171

My daughter (14) has become friends with a girl at school- she talks to her on facebook and they text eachother on their cells. I have never met this other girl, but on her facebook page there are 2 pictures of her with a pacifier in her mouth, one by herself, one with another girl (not my daughter). Are they just playing around, or is this a sign they're using XTC or other drugs?

Recently divorced, we have two girls age 14 and 10. The current custody schedule has the kids with my wife about 65% to my 35%. I only have the kids overnight on one school night a week.

I already found a nice home in the area (we had to sell the marital home because neither parent could afford to keep it). However it is not in the same school district. My wife and I discussed this and decided that since she has the kids a greater % that she would stay living in this district and thus the kids do not have to change schools. However my older daughter (age 14) is now telling me she feels more comfortable living with me and she is fighting with her mom. I don't think my wife would settle for less than 50% physical custody of my daughter, although I don't know why, if my daughter is more comfortable with me.

Anyway, the issue is now if my daughter did decide she wanted to live a greater % with me, I would have to drive her to school or take her to her bus stop.

I am thinking I should cancel the deal on the home I am buying and try to find one in the same school district? I know my wife would not agree to let me have my older daughter 70%, but I think once she's 16 she can decide which parent she is more comfortable living with?

I live in NJ, looking at a 2300 sq. ft home, but it uses propane heat instead of natural gas. How much more can I expect to pay for heat using propane heat vs. natural gas heat?

House was listed for 450k, but was on the market >200 days and still not sold. I offered 400k, they came down to 440. I went to 410, they came down to 430. My next offer was 417k. Then they came to 425k but they now say the appliances- a stainless fridge, and front loading washer & dryer aren't included. I estimate the value of the appliances to be $4-5k.

I should mention that houses in that town are selling for an average of 85% of assessed value, which for their house equals 421k.

I don't think these sellers are serious about selling. If so they would have dropped their price from 450k to 430k. The market here has declined 15% in the past year!

Who is the sexiest female performer, Christina Aguilera, Beyonce, Shakira or Fergie?

Recently divorced dad, I have about 35% custody of my two children. I am finding that when the kids are here with me, it is a good feeling, but when they go back to their mom, the house feels empty and I find myself feeling lonely and depressed. Will this pass as times goes on? What are some ways to beat this and not have the emotional up and down?

I recently joined an online dating service (which costs money) and I'm wondering if its a waste of time. Brief stats, recently divorced, 48 yr old male, looking for single, or divorced female.

What I see is a bunch of flakes, pretenders, people who post old photos, lie about their age, or just show their head/shoulders and then you find out their 40 lbs overweight!

Recently divorced guy, we sold our big (3600 sq foot) home in the suburbs and I need to re-settle. I have two kids, age 14 and 10, and I have my kids about 35% of the overnights. In my area, I can get a 3 bedroom townhome for about 300-350k, those would prob typically be about 1800 sq feet. There is a gated community near me where I could buy a 3 bedroom home, about 2300 sq. feet for over $400k. Or, I can move to the next town (about 12 miles away) and get a 2,300 sq ft single family home on 2 acres for about $400k.

The factors I am considering are space and having a yard vs no yard, and living in the next town vs. staying in our town. I should mention that because my ex is the PPR, the kids will stay in their current schools regardless of where I live.

I am just wondering if as a newly single person if I will be happier in a townhouse complex or gated community with higher density vs. living in a more rural area with 1-2 acres lots. If there is anyone that has gone thru this transition, please answer!

I've been using Arm & Hammer laundry soap (powder) which I buy in 5 gal. cans at BJs, but I am noticing that my bright colors tend to fade quickly. This is despite the fact that I'm washing them in cold water. Am I using too much detergent, or do I need to use a more expensive brand (Tide, Cheer?).... what is the best brand to use to avoid color fade?

Someone told me that spray starch will shorten the life of my shirts, is that true? I'd never heard this before. If it does shorten the fabric's life, how does it do that?

When ironing a men's dress shirt, what is the best way to do it? Do I do the sleeves first, then the body of the shirt and the collar last? When do I use the pointy end of the ironing board and when do I use the square end?

I was having my shorts done at the cleaners, but they raised the price recently. In terms of energy usage laundering, drying and pressing my shorts at home, am I really saving money over the commercial laundry?

Married 15 years, when we met I was earning about 50k, she was earning 40k a year as a nurse. Once we married and had kids, she worked part time and raised the kids. Currently I make about $120k, she earns about $40k, working 30 hrs a week. Both kids are in middle school, older daughter will be in high school next year.

The proposed settlement pays her alimony of $1800/month for 8 years, plus child support of about $800 month. So, in essence I will be paying about $2600/mo or about $30k per year to her for the next 8 years.

As part of this deal, I had to agree to pay for both kids college, with no obligation to her. Otherwise she will try to get "permanent alimony" or at least a long term of alimony of 12-14 years, rather than the 8 yrs we agreed to.

My lawyer says I should take this deal, if we go to court she could get permanent alimony. I'm not so sure, as she has a good career as a nurse. Additionally, I also paid for her college education, so that she could finish her bachelors degree.

Should I just accept the fact that I am just screwed for the next 8 years and pay up or should I go to court and hope that the judge laughs at her request for long term alimony.

If it matters, this is in NJ.

When plasma first came out it has the best picture, hands down. It was also the most money. Now plasma TVs prices have plummeted to the point where you can buy a 50" plasma for less than half of an equivalent LCD. So, is it still worth it to buy a plasma TV, or is the plasma already obsolete and is it a mistake to buy one today?

Our old 32" TV died and its time to get a nice HDTV. I've ruled out plasma, so its down to LCD. The newer LED-LCD seem to have a more crisp picture and better contrast than the standard LED. In partcicular I like the Samsung. But a 47" LED-LCD is almost $500 more than the standard LCD. Is it worth the extra?

Wife moved out into a rental home, I am staying in the "marital home" until its sold. She took her things out, so I changed the locks, to ensure she doesnt come in here when I am not home and start taking items that we agreed are mine. She complained I've "locked her out" but I don't see her giving me keys to her rental home.

People bought huge houses near me, some are 5 years old, it is obvious the people have no money because they never even put in a deck or any landscaping. Moreover, these big homes are totally wasteful, in terms of energy costs, the amount of chemicals needed to maintain a huge lawn, etc. Why do people want these trophy homes, even people who can't really afford them???

I do skiing, and cycling, so I have decent aerobic fitness. I can swing a racquet because I used to play racquetball, paddle ball and a bit of tennis. But I really can't do topspin, so I am wondering if its realistic to become a decent tennis player in my late 40s, or will I always be playing catchup with better players?

Shouldn't only those who can climb Everest without a guide be the ones allowed on the mountain? Just because you can pay $75,000 doesn't mean you should be able to climb?

My wife and I separated recently and divorce is almost final. Our big house of 1 acre is for sale (though not sold) and she took a 2 bedroom townhome rental. She decided to take our dog, a 5 year old BC, to the townhome. This was based on the fact that the kids are with her more than me (70% vs 30%) and that I work 8-9 hrs a day, and she only works about 5-6 hrs a day.

But I am concerned because (a) the dog was very attached to me and (b) she loves being outside and living with a big yard. I'm concerned that going from a large property to a townhouse with almost no yard will cause her stress and maybe depression.

We got the dog as a puppy at our home and this is the only place she has known. We talked about having the dog go back and forth between the 2 homes with the kids, but I am wondering if that will just make the dog more confused. Help!!