Dear Annie: I’ve enjoyed your column for some time. After reading the letter from “ Blessed but Bothered ,” who was tired of hearing comments from other relatives about the way she and her immediate family spend their money, I feel there was a missed teaching moment.

Especially when the in-laws’ kids chime in, another approach could be a quick lesson or mention of priorities and budgeting. “Yes, we enjoyed our trip -- and when you’re making your own money, you can save up and go there, too!” Or, “When you are grown up and making money, you get to choose exactly how to spend it, just like we do and your parents do.”

The parents might not be open to educating their kids, but perhaps this mini-lesson followed by a meaningful glance to the adults can stop these kinds of comments. Thanks fo

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