Dear Abby: Do I help my impulsive friend with her financial struggles?

DEAR ABBY: A close friend — whom I’ve been urging for years to save for a rainy day — is now facing a very real storm.She was diagnosed with breast cancer and is undergoing treatment.

Knowing her financial situation — living paycheck to paycheck despite her and her husband’s high-paying jobs — I felt compelled to help by setting up a GoFundMe. I have been managing updates on her journey, but the truth is, she has always been impulsive with money — spending bonus checks on gambling, cruises, fancy restaurants and vacations rather than building a safety net.Now, with this diagnosis, her past spending habits are coming back to haunt her.

Many friends and family, knowing her history, are reluctant to donate. It’s heartbreaking to see her struggle, but in spite of her illness, she still indulges in these expensive habits despite needing to save every penny.I’ve tried talking to her, but she’s in a fragile state physically and emotionally.

I feel conflicted.On one hand, I want to support her through this difficult time; on the other, I can’t condone her continued spending. I’m now planning to distance myself from the GoFundMe, because it feels dishonest to beg for donations for someone who won’t prioritize her own financial recovery.

What do you think, Abby? How do I balance my friendship with my moral compass? — SYMPATHIZING IN THE SOUTHDEAR SYMPATHIZING: I think you should separate yourself from the GoFundMe project you started.As a good friend, you can continue supporting this woman emotionally, but you are not required to promote her getting money.

If a recipient uses donated funds for a purpose other than what they are intended, it could be considered fraud.DEAR ABBY: Our son, “Caleb,” and his fiancee, “Lucy,” are getting married next year.He is 26, and she is 24.

Our last name is unusual and sounds like a dirty word when mispronounced, which it often is.After “a lot of thought,” Caleb has decided to legally take Lucy...