My boyfriend is a compulsive shopper

Dear Diana,
My boyfriend is a spendthrift and I am not. He is a complusive shopper and does not think twice before removing his wallet. I have tried to stop him but he tells me to shut up. He ends up using credit cards and is then left with huge payments. He buys stuff for me ufffd from chocolates, food and clothes. He tells me he will buy me a gold bracelet next! I have told him not to buy anything. I want to hang out with him and talk to him for hours. I do not want him to buy stuff for me as I am not at all materialistic. How do I tell him? He gets very offended whenever I have tried. We end up having arguments on the subject and then he tells me that I always spoil his mood. How do I knock sense into him?
-u00a0Shyma

Dear Shyma,
Your boyfriend appears to be a hard nut to crack. But you have to explain to him in a gentle manner. If you get aggressive it will backfire on you. Next time when he says he has mounting credit card bills, tell him that's the reason you tell him to go slow. Tell him once in a while it is okay to splurge like on birthdays and other special days, but overdoing it is unnecessary. For a change you become a spendthrift and keep on buying stuff (at his expense!) and see if he realises when a deep hole is left in his pocket. If he is a compulsive shopper, it will be difficult to stop him. Find out why he likes to splurge, is this his way of making you happy. Tell him you are happy to be with him, not his buys! It is a tough call but you will have to gently knock sense into his head. Best of luck!

My wife is always tired

Dear Diana,
We have been married for a year . My wife works in a publishing house. But once she gets home, she is always exhausted. On a weekday, she just refuses to get out again saying that she can't handle late nights as she has to get up early in the morning. She hates to socialise and loves to spend time pottering around the house. Due to her behaviour, I end up going out alone. How do I remedy the situation?
-u00a0Jerry

Dear Jerry,
Have you bothered to find out why she is tired? Is it due to the commute or the hectic work schedule? May be she has a genuine reason to avoid late nights. You may be a party animal but she is not. Start by giving her a helping hand in the housework. If you have planned an outing in advance, tell her to plan her day accordingly.u00a0 Or schedule an outing in such a way, that she accompanies you for a while and then returns home. You can then hang out with your pals till the wee hours. There is no point being harsh on her; she will then outright refuse to go with you!

I am terribly overweight

Dear Diana,
I am a 17-year-old- boy who weighs 90 kilos! Everyone calls me a fatso. I hate it. I have tried to lose weight by skipping meals and going for long walks. But it was all of no use. What do I do?
-u00a0AB

Dear AB,
You need professional help. Get yourself enrolled at a gym near to your home. They will also put you on to a nutritionist who will guide you about your diet. Follow the exercise regime regularly. It will take time but results will show with dedication and patience. Look around you, there may be several obese people who shed the kilos. Seek inspiration from them.