DEAR BRUCE: My college friend and I purchased a house together many years ago. He would like to get his share out of the house, and I would like to buy him out. The mortgage is $250,000, and the home is appraised at $300,000. How should we go about getting this done? -- Reader, via e-mail

DEAR READER: Assuming your credit is up to par, the easiest way would be to agree on a price and get a mortgage somewhere in the vicinity of $260,000, then pay off your partner at closing. In the event this money cannot be raised through a mortgage, which is entirely possible depending on your other debt, you should then ask your roommate to take back a second mortgage from you for a portion or the full amount owed. This is just another reason why buying houses with partners unrelated by marriage is a bad idea.

DEAR BRUCE: We are having financial troubles, but then again it seems as if everyone is in the same boat these days. I have two children under the age of 5, and right now, it's just not possible for me to work outside the home. I have gone onto Craigslist and answered many posted ads. Some have not even responded, but some want personal information before even hiring me. We need the extra income, but I'm afraid to give out too much personal information before I know anything about whom I'm dealing with. Any suggestions? -- M.W., via e-mail

DEAR M.W.: You are part of a large sorority -- women who want to stay home with their children and for practical reasons are required to do so. The vultures that place these ads feed off people like you, and that is a crime. Craigslist has taken a lot of heat lately for some of its postings. If you can investigate these companies on your own, that would be wise. Check out the newspaper, too. I realize there are legitimate ads on Craigslist -- I have friends who have placed them. Just be careful. Don't give out any personal information to someone you don't know. It's unfortunate but true -- there are scoundrels out there.

DEAR BRUCE: A neighbor of mine just did a stint on jury duty. I am so afraid I'll be called to serve. I run my own business, and I would have to close up shop if I were called. In these economic times, things are bad enough without having to lose days of income because of this. Is there any way I could get out of jury duty? I can't afford it. -- P.R., via e-mail

DEAR P.R.: In the county where I live, when you are called to jury duty, you can fill out a request for a one-time reprieve. However, you will most surely be called again, and it seems those who got the reprieve this time are called upon for duty the next time. During the process of selecting a jury, you can tell them that a financial hardship would be caused if you were to be seated. They ask for an explanation, and then you are excused. At least that's how they do things here. If you are called to appear again, give them a call, explain your situation, and take it from there. There's a chance they'll understand. After all, they have quite a pool of people from which to choose. Jury duty is a responsibility, and it is unfortunate so many folks are unable to serve.