Husband gambles away down payment

DEAR HARRIETTE: My husband and I have been saving for a house, but I figured out last week that he is addicted to sports betting and that a lot of our savings has been feeding his addiction.I was completely blindsided by this discovery; I genuinely had no idea how serious the situation had become.

DO JUST ONE THING

• If you have energy-saving solar-powered outdoor lights in your garden that don’t illuminate for as long as they used to, it may be time to check the batteries. Solar-powered lights use rechargeable batteries that charge during the day, using the sun’s light as an energy source.

TODAY IN HISTORY

In 1830, President Andrew Jackson signed the Indian Removal Act into law.In 1937, the government of Germany formed the automobile company that would later be known as Volkswagen.

Talk to doctor before going off medication

Dear Doctors: My doctor recently increased the dosage of my blood pressure medications. I want to try a natural route to reduce high blood pressure, but it appears that is for people not taking any drugs. How should I approach this issue? Can I stop my meds and go natural?

Daughter cannot manage to finish degree

DEAR HARRIETTE: My daughter is struggling to complete college. She has been in her undergraduate program now for six years and she will need a seventh before she graduates. She is majoring in mechanical engineering with a minor in data science.

The impact of presidential truth bombs

Yes, as many of us have wondered, there actually may be something in the water on the American campaign trail or in the White House.It turns out it is a form of sodium thiopental, known to moviegoers and readers of crime novels as truth serum.

Family grapples with marriage status

DEAR HARRIETTE: The other day, my mom called me and shared jawdropping information. Due to the current political landscape and potential issues with women having different last names from birth and marriage, my mom went downtown to get a copy of her marriage license.

No evidence tattoo ink is linked to lupus

Dear Doctors: My son, who has never been ill, was diagnosed with lupus. This comes after he got numerous tattoos. I’ve learned some of the inks that are used contain heavy metals, and I read that these may trigger lupus symptoms. Could his illness be linked to his tattoos?

No single test will assure heart health

Dear Doctors: I had a carotid ultrasound that shows 0% stenosis on both the right and left sides. Does that mean no plaque was seen? Also, is there any gold-standard test for heart health, such as the carotid ultrasound I had?

Reader’s son has issues around eating

DEAR HARRIETTE: My son hides his food intake, and he’s been this way for years. I’m not sure if it stems from him feeling like we used to baby him, but he hates when we offer him food, tell him to pack a to-go plate when he’s leaving our place or announce that the food is ready.