Dear Abby - Man drains savings to fund failed firm

DEAR ABBY: My husband of 23 years, "Gerald," quit his job to start his own law firm. He told me about it only after he had quit. I have tried to be supportive, but seven months down the line, he has spent all our "rainy day" cash and earned only one paycheck. We have two teenagers, one who will be going to college in a year.

I took a high-paying job a year ago to help pay down our mortgage and fund our son's college expenses. Gerald claimed the bonus money he received when he quit his old job was to fund the new venture.

He's now saying that seven months is too little time to make any huge decisions, but we are now going to start liquidating our 401(k)s. He needs to get a job. I have worked every year of our marriage and never quit.

I feel like I'm living with a selfish stranger who calls me a "money-hungry stereotypical female" when I ask when he'll get paid. Is it time for me to take off the rose-colored glasses and file for divorce? -STUCK IN HIS MIDLIFE CRISIS

DEAR STUCK: Your husband should have discussed his career change with you before he quit the law firm. Do not allow him to push you into taking money from your 401(k). Because your husband hasn't yet reached retirement age, when he liquidates his, there will be a penalty for early withdrawal. Consult an attorney - other than your husband - about what your next steps should be to protect yourself and your kids.

DEAR ABBY: I am writing in response to the letter from "Loving Granddaughter", who was asking for ways to prepare for the eventual passing of her grandparents.

A way to help her cope with her premature grief would be to take time to sit down with her grandparents and video a personal interview with them. This "Interview With a Loved One" provides an opportunity to capture her favorite stories and memories as told by her grandparents in their own words. She might even hear some surprising new stories as well.

We started doing this with my grandfather when he was first diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, before he started losing his memory. After he finally succumbed, going back to his interviews was a great way for our family to remember him in the way that he would have wanted to be remembered. -JESSICA IN MISSOURI

DEAR JESSICA: That's a wonderful suggestion.

DEAR ABBY: How do I introduce my unmarried daughter's baby daddy? Can't say "husband," and can't say "partner" since gays have claimed that word. -I'D LIKE YOU TO MEET ...

DEAR MEET: When you introduce your grandchild's daddy, use his name and say, "This is 'John,' 'Jessica's' partner." The term is not used exclusively by LGBT people, but by straight couples as well.