DEAR HARRIETTE: This entire year has been a struggle for me. I’m a freelancer, and business is down dramatically. I can hardly pay my bills.

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I rarely talk about it, but the holidays are approaching, and I cannot show up the way I usually do with gifts for everyone. I barely have the cash to get to my hometown to be with the family.

The thing is, everyone thinks of me as the successful one, the one who moved to the big city and made it. I haven’t made a thing this year other than more debt.

How can I manage expectations with family without having to explain my situation? I just want to be with them. I don’t want to be interrogated.

— Lean Times

DEAR LEAN TIMES: Contact the member of your family you are closest to and explain your situation — at least the key points.

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