DEAR Jasminda, HOW do I know if a social media friend request is legitimate? Lately I have been getting quite a few requests and the people (particularly the men) look like people I'd love to get to know better, but I find it strange that they are seeking me out. I

DEAR Jasminda, The local pest guy told us we have a rat infestation under the house. He put baits down and now, one week before our daughter's birthday party, there's a stench. What do we do? Maree and John R. Maree and John, I'm flattered that you think pest control is one of

DEAR Jasminda, WHAT do you reckon about boycotting major retailers who won’t sell Australia Day merchandise? Asking for a friend. Mr Daryl Hutton Dear Daryl, Australia Day paraphernalia has never made a lot of sense to me. Without entering the argument of whether the date should be changed, I’m

DEAR Jasminda, My friend phones me when he is on his commute home. I feel as though he only wants to speak with me to make the time go more quickly. Meanwhile, I have to stop what I'm doing to listen. I can tell he's driving because of all the background

DEAR Jasminda, I often start the New Year by goal setting, only to realise by February that I've failed. How can I achieve some goals that I can actually keep? Fiona W. Dear Fiona, Happy New Year. As we ease into another year, tenderly patting expanded waistlines created by batches of rum balls and

DEAR Jasminda, EVERY year our extended family gets a bit bigger and the cost of Christmas is becoming too expensive for me, particularly now I'm retired. How can I reduce costs and still make everyone feel important? Doris W. Dear Doris, Can you remember the Christmas gifts you were given five years ago? I

DEAR Jasminda, Every time I go through airport security, I get checked. It’s now a family joke that I’ll be held back. I’m starting to get a complex. Harry B. Dear Harry, I’m not sure if you are seeking my help here or merely stating a fact. There could be a

DEAR Jasminda, WE left our cat with friends who live a ten-minute walk away while we went to Europe for six weeks. When we returned, they told us they'd bonded with the cat and couldn't bear to part with it. We refused, of course, but now the damn cat keeps running

DEAR Jasminda, My new flatmate has an aversion to creepy crawlies whereas I'm a live and let live sort of person. How can I convince her that bugs and insects have a right to survive too? Adele B. Dear Adele, We need insects. There's no doubt about it. They play a huge role, not

DEAR Jasminda, Earlier this year we contacted a local recruitment agency seeking a maths tutor for our son. They sent us three resumes and we made our decision based on the one with the most experience. When we met the tutor, it quickly became apparent that she wasn't just a maths