Remember that gigantic favor you did for a certain person a while back? The one that absolutely saved them from either being fired, abandoned by their partner, or evicted from their apartment? They’ve mentioned that they’d like to repay you several times, but you’ve never needed anything. Well, guess what? It might be time to give them a call. Don’t worry about getting a negative reception. They’ll be relieved to return the favor.

Be wary of anyone asking for romantic advice. In their mind, there may be just one right answer, and anything else is sure to be construed as wrong. Try just asking thoughtful questions and staying neutral.

Getting started is no problem today. You and your partner start a dozen conversations, household projects, and plans to go out. Finding the wherewithal to finish them is another matter entirely.

Everyone is feeling overly sensitive. Welcome to just one of the symptoms of the new world economy. If you want to know how someone is doing, you’ll have to put out some feelers, not be frank.