Harriette Cole: He broke his promise to pay my rent. Is there anything I can do?

DEAR HARRIETTE: In January, I leased an apartment for 12 months. My father was my co-signer.

At the time, he told me he really wanted me to focus on school, so he promised to pay my rent up until November.

It is May now, and he just told me that since I graduated, he no longer wants to pay my rent because he feels that I should handle it.

This feels totally unfair. I am preparing for grad school and didn’t expect to have to work. I don’t have the time.

I think it’s so wrong that he went back on his word. What can I do?

Keep Your Word

DEAR KEEP YOUR WORD: Sit down with your father and remind him of the agreement you made together. Describe how you are spending your time and why you need him to continue to support you through November. Assure him that you are not wasting your time or his investment in you.

If he won’t budge, look for a roommate and get a part-time job, maybe through your grad school. You have to be realistic even if it hurts.

DEAR HARRIETTE: My friend is struggling in life, but she didn’t bother to tell me. I recently met up with her for lunch and found out that she had been evicted from her home.