Priya Patel
TLDR:
A woman seeks advice on how to reason with her 72-year-old aunt who has fallen in love with a scammer. The aunt, who is not tech-savvy, met the scammer on a Facebook group and has been communicating with him through messages. The scammer has been asking the aunt for gift cards and money. Despite the niece’s efforts to show her aunt evidence of scams and catfishing, the aunt continues to communicate with the scammer. The niece is concerned that the aunt will give him her life savings.
A financial expert suggests that the niece can suggest a video call between the aunt and the scammer as a subtle way to expose his true motives. The expert also advises the aunt to do her due diligence and verify the scammer’s identity before exchanging money. The niece is advised to approach the situation with curiosity and hope that the aunt realizes the scammer’s true intentions.
In a separate question, a 27-year-old seeks advice on how to start budgeting. The person currently spends about $400-$500 on their credit card bi-weekly and pays it off immediately. The person wants to save more without cutting out fun expenses. The financial expert suggests the “pay-yourself-first” method, where a percentage of the person’s income is set aside for savings before spending on living expenses.
Another person seeks advice on whether it is worth going back to college in their late 30s to improve their job prospects. The person has a sporadic work history and is concerned about explaining the gaps in their resume due to medical reasons. The financial expert suggests using a functional resume format that focuses on skills rather than a chronological work history. The person is also encouraged to consider trade programs and certifications that can help them excel in the workforce faster.
