DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: I dropped something on the floor of my boyfriend’s car, and when I went to pick it up, my hand hit a magazine under the seat, which I pulled up figuring he was looking for it. It was an over the top raunchy porn magazine. When I asked him about it, he said it wasn’t his. He told me it was his roommate’s and that he would not buy anything like that.

I don’t know if I am more bothered by the content of the magazine or the suspicion that it really does belong to my boyfriend and that he is lying to me. I don’t want to make a big deal about it, but it is becoming a big deal in my own mind. Am I dumb to doubt? --- DOUBTING MY BOYFRIEND’S HONESTY

DEAR DOUBTING MY BOYFRIEND’S HONESTY: Do you have cause to doubt what your boyfriend is telling you based on other experiences you’ve had with him? If so, then you’re probably wise to not take everything he tells you as gospel. If he can’t, ─ or doesn’t want ─ to tell the truth, you need to think hard about the potential longevity of this relationship.

On the other hand, if you can verify that the magazine belongs to his roommate, then the offensive content becomes the main story.

DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: My baby sister just married a guy who has been married twice before. Not only is he 15 years older than her, but you’ve got to worry about a guy in his mid-thirties who’s on his third at-bat.

I wasn’t around while they were dating, but is it too late to warn my sister that this guy stands a good chance of breaking her heart? --- WORRIED BIG BROTHER

DEAR WORRIED BIG BROTHER: As much as you may disapprove, your sister has made her choice. Try taking an optimistic view of the situation. Your new brother-in-law may have been unlucky in love, until he met your sister.

However, don’t totally ignore your gut. Keep a close watch, and if you begin seeing signs of trouble, be ready to be there for her if things do go south.

DEAR SOMEONE ELSE’S MOM: The company I have worked for since my senior year in college was taken over by their biggest competitor. We were always a small, local operation, but we are now part of a huge corporation with offices in something like 28 states.

The look for the office used to be casual, but neat. Now it’s suits and ties for the guys, and business chic for the women. Nobody got a raise after the takeover, but we are all expected to spend a bundle on higher-end clothing. I don’t know where I am going to get the money to re-wardrobe myself, and most of my coworkers are in the same spot.

I have been shopping on-line a lot and I’m finding what looks like a bargain can be a big disappointment, and often no bargain at all. Any and all suggestions are welcome for how to dress for less. --- NEED A SHARPER IMAGE

DEAR NEED A SHARPER IMAGE: Thrift and consignment shops are a good place to start, especially if they’re located in areas where you’re likely to get donations of still in-style and well-made items. Yelp and other on-line rating sites can help point you in the right direction if you trust the reviews posted on them.

There are also on-line rental companies for men’s and women’s clothing that provide outfits for special occasions like big meetings or presentations. You might not want to subscribe for the long-haul, but a rental here and there may not be a bad way to go, since you’re not currently in a position to lay out a lot of money all at once.