DEAR HARRIETTE: My family’s financial situation has changed dramatically ever since I went away to college. My first year, the finances were great. My second year, they were fine. My third year in school is when my dad lost his job, and paying for school was a struggle. Now my parents opened up to me that they don’t have the money to send me back to my university for my senior year. There’s no way I can work a minimum wage job over the summer and raise enough money to pay for my education. I go to a private university and want to get my degree from a school I’ve attended since the beginning.

A distant friend is an escort to pay for school, and I’m considering it. I don’t want huge loans out in my name – it will take forever to pay them off. If she can make the money to pay for school for all four years, I think I can do it for one. I’m not quite sure what it entails, but I think this is the best option for me. How should I tell my parents that I have my tuition figured out while shielding them from what I will be doing? – Walk in My Shoes, Raleigh, North Carolina

DEAR WALK IN MY SHOES: I strongly recommend against choosing to be an escort to pay for school. It is highly likely that you will be required to offer sexual favors for money – essentially be a prostitute – even as a high-end escort. Not only is that illegal, it is also dangerous on many levels.

Instead, I suggest that you contact your school and let them know your situation. If you have good grades, you may qualify for a scholarship. You may qualify for government funding as well. Do your research so that you figure out how you can legally pay for this last year of school. Even if you end up getting a loan for one year, that would be better than selling your body for tuition.

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DEAR HARRIETTE: One of my friends is “straightedge.” He battled with drug and alcohol addictions when he was very young, and now he does not drink or do any drugs. I commend him and his strength, but I am not straightedge whatsoever. Whenever I am drinking or doing drugs, I’m not quite sure how to conduct myself. No one ever offers “James” drugs or beers, but I feel like James might be judging me or the other guys who like to have a good time now and again.

I don’t think I’m being paranoid, because other people have mentioned that they feel uncomfortable letting loose around James since he is always sober. Is there any way to get an honest response from James to see if he disapproves of our habits? I’ve asked before, and he just laughed and said this is what he’s been around his whole life. – Not Like the Rest, Syracuse, New York

DEAR NOT LIKE THE REST: Instead of focusing on how James deals with your drug and alcohol use, take a hard look at yourself. Your discomfort may be a sign that it’s time for you to slow down, if not curb your indulgences completely. Of course, it is kind to be sensitive to James, but your life is what you should observe carefully now. Check yourself and make sure you are OK.

— Lifestylist and author Harriette Cole is president and creative director of Harriette Cole Media. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.