Dear Janice, like many people who are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis, I am only just managing to pay my bills.

I know just about everything has increased in price, but on my last visit, my hairdresser upped her prices yet again.

My personal grooming is costing me a small fortune every six weeks for a hair do that I’m never actually happy with.

It is straight and shoulder length so there is no real styling involved, and she does a one-colour bog standard dye, so I don’t understand why it is so expensive.

My friend has been telling me for years that I should try somewhere else, but I have been a regular customer for so long that I would feel totally disloyal if I went elsewhere.

I also know for sure that I will bump into her at some point and I wouldn’t know how to explain my disappearance.

I am struggling to keep up with her rising costs, but what can I do? Tracey.

Dear Tracey, there is loyalty and then there is stupidity.

My friend endured a squinty bob for years because she couldn’t find the courage to drop her hairdresser!

I mean, seriously! For years she avoided possible confrontation and endured the humiliation of a wonky hairdo because of her so-called loyalty. The saga of her uneven locks was only resolved when her hairdresser emigrated to Australia!

Tracey, the chances of lightning striking twice are slim, so you need to have a plan.

Firstly, dye your own hair. For about a tenner you can buy home dyes which nowadays are perfectly safe so long as you do a patch test first. Your friend could help you.

Secondly, lie.

If and when you bump into your now ex-hairdresser, just say you were given vouchers for your birthday/Mothers Day etc, and that you are trying out new places.

Start now phoning around to compare prices.

New hairdresser, new style, less money. It’s a no-brainer.

Dear Janice, my eight-year-old niece has been attending drama classes with my daughter for nine months and last weekend was their first time on stage in the local church hall.

However, on the night, my niece got stage fright and stood like a statue looking petrified.

However, instead of her mum, (my sister-in-law) comforting her, she dragged her into the car and gave her a mouthful of abuse.

I was really shocked at her vicious reaction towards her daughter. She told her she was an embarrassment, stupid, and that she had wasted so much time and money on her.

To finish it off she threatened her about what would happen next time if she didn’t act like she was supposed too on stage.

My daughter was silent as she had never witnessed such an outburst.

I feel I can’t leave things as they are because it was very upsetting for us, so I can only imagine how my niece felt.

I don’t want to start a family dispute, so what should I do? Joan.

Dear Joan, well you certainly cannot pretend this incident didn’t happen.

I always reckon that if someone is subjected to such abuse in public, what must they experience behind closed doors? See where I’m coming from?

Firstly, speak to your brother. He surely must be aware of his wife’s vile temper. Perhaps he has become immune to it, but that doesn’t make it right.

If he does nothing, then I’m afraid you need to have a word with your sister-in-law.

Give her the chance to open up and explain her behaviour. Perhaps she is not coping with life at the moment and needs help to control her temper.

If she doesn’t recognise she has a problem, then it is time to get other family members onboard because if no-one takes action now, this child’s confidence and wellbeing will fade away in front of your eyes.

Dear Janice, my ex was an abusive, cheating womaniser whom I dumped eight years ago.

I bumped into him recently and he apologised profusely and assured me he is a changed man and he wants us to try again.

He was always the ONE. He is still extremely attractive.

I always fancied him like mad, and still do.

Should I give him another chance? JR.

Dear JR, sit down with a pen and paper and note all the things that was wrong in your relationship with this ex.

Have a good hard look at it in black and white, and as much as I’m against regaling unpleasant past memories, replay them over in your mind a few times and ask yourself how you feel.

Happy? Content? Relaxed?

No, I can bet you feel on edge, anxious and miserable.

There is a very slight chance your ex has changed, but are you willing to place yourself in such a vulnerable position again?

Personally, I don’t think it is worth the risk as the odds are heavily stacked against this relationship rekindling itself in a positive way.

Looks fade, and as much as you still find this man attractive, you need to focus on the inner, true person you dumped years back, and not be guiled by his deceptive charms.

Close this door for the last time. Raise your standards and find yourself a decent guy who brings happiness into your life. Good luck.