Columns & Editorials

Did You Know? Wedding Costs

Weddings are well-known as costly affairs, even for couples who opt for more laid back ceremonies and receptions as opposed to lavish gatherings. Each year, The Knot Real Weddings Study uncovers the latest wedding trends, including those related to fashion, food and, of course, finances. The most recent study found that the average cost of a wedding in 2023 was $35,000. That marks a considerable increase over just a year earlier, when couples spent an average of $30,000 on their weddings. That significant spike in just a 12-month period undoubtedly reflects the effects of inflation, which led to a notable increase in the costs of many products and services since 2022. If wedding costs are indeed surprising couples as they start to plan their big day, they can consider an approach that many before them have increasingly turned to: wedding planners. According to The Knot, 37 percent of couples hired a wedding planner in 2023, an increase of 7 percent over 2019, when the pandemic had yet to be declared and inflation had not led to such significant price increases. Wedding planners can help couples navigate some costly waters so they can avoid starting their life together with substantial wedding-related debt.

Dear Aunt B,

Dear Aunt B,

I feel so out of place at work. My coworkers are all best friends, and I’m always on the outside looking in. Should I just accept it, or is there a way to fit in without trying too hard?

Ask Aunt B

Ask Aunt B

Dear Generous or Doormat, Oh honey, you are definitely not alone on this one. Nothing quite tests a friendship like money, does it? It sounds like your friend has turned “borrowing” into a bit of a habit, and now you’re wondering if you’re a good friend or a soft target. I’d say a little of both, and that’s why we’ve got some work to do!

Good Times at Bad Dog High
Good Times at Bad Dog High

Good Times at Bad Dog High

I have a problem child. I would say he was a problem dog, but he requires so much more than my children did growing up that it’s only fair I get to claim him as a child. He needs more attention, more supervision, more tolerance, and more medical care. He needs more me. His name is Poe.

A Healthy Approach To Weight Loss

Though people attempting to lose weight may love a quick fix or magic pill that could shed excess pounds, successful efforts that produce long-term weight loss generally take considerable time and effort. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says people who lose weight at a gradual, steady pace tend to keep the weight off. The CDC advises individuals to aspire to lose one to two pounds each week.

Ask Aunt B

Ask Aunt B

I just found out that I have a child I never knew about. They are all grown up, and I’m not sure how to proceed. I would appreciate any advice.

OUTDOORS

Luke did his deer hunting this week with his Nikon camera at Wind Point Park on Lake Tawakoni.

OUTDOORS

SHOOTING DEER with a camera

What is Movember?

If you think you're seeing more moustaches lingering over mens' upper lips as November unfolds, chances are your eyes are not deceiving you. November has long been synonymous with Thanksgiving and the start of the holiday season, but it's also taken on a whole new persona in recent years, and moustaches are a significant part of that new identity.

I Take You, Wilma
I Take You, Wilma

I Take You, Wilma

I have a high tolerance for pain. I see you rolling your eyes. I would do the same, I’m sure. It’s a common declaration, after all. Except, I can prove it! Can we talk about childbirth? Again, with the eye rolls! I know. AARP is on me like white on rice, yet I want to tell my birth story. As the millennials would say, “That’s so cringe.” In the court of public opinion, however, I need these details to make my case. I had an unmedicated birth at home, a couple of them, actually. In one of those situations, the result was a baby that weighed well over ten pounds! See! I told you. I have a high tolerance for pain. Since I am clearly setting the stage for a tale of woe concerning a today pain, you needed to know this. It’s called an inciting incident. It’s a writer thing. Wink. Stop rolling your eyes.

Ask Aunt B

Ask Aunt B

The holidays are before us. I want to appreciate each and every one of them. It always gets so hectic. Any ideas on keeping it all in perspective and not turning into a crazy person? THANKS and HO HO HO Dear THANKS and HO HO HO, Oh, the holiday season! It’s full of sparkle, cookies, and family gatherings, but it’s also time for turning into a 'crazy person,' as you put it. The pressure to pull off the perfect holiday can feel intense, and we can end up frazzled before the season even hits its stride. With a few grounded strategies, you can head into the holidays with more grace, joy, and sanity.

Ask Aunt B

I am hearing all these new terms, ghosting and gaslighting among others. Boy, do I feel out of touch. Are all of these things new or just new terms for old things? How do I keep up?

Dear Aunt B

Dear Aunt B

I had a really good friend. I really enjoyed her and thought we were close. Something happened, I’m not sure what. We never see each other, and I have tried to reach out. It is really sad to me. What should I do?

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