Dear Eric: A few years ago, I sold my extra car as I was retiring in good financial shape and simplifying my expenses. Having an extra EZ Pass toll device, I gifted it to my father and his third wife, my stepmother.

My father passed away a year ago and my family have all been very inclusive with my stepmother. She lives just across the George Washington Bridge from New York City and will go into the city multiple times a week or make other toll eligible trips.

A single trip is $15. She has two adult daughters of her own, who have acknowledged that their mother is their responsibility. She does have limited finances. Last year the toll charges came to almost $2,000 and this year it is trending toward $1,000.

As a retiree, I simply never thought the gift of an EZ Pass would add up to this amount every year. While I am in a better financial position than my 79-year-old stepmother, do I discuss my concerns with her? Do I raise the topic with her daughters to suggest they pick up the charges? Do I offer a fixed amount subsidy? Or do I grin and bear the gift that keeps on giving?

– Tolled Out

Dear Tolled Out: Fifteen dollars? My eyes bugged out of my head like a cartoon character. I don’t know for whom that bell tolls, but it certainly isn’t me.

The beauty, and perhaps danger, of EZ Pass is right there in the first two letters. It’s so easy. You zip right through, without a second thought. It’s likely that your stepmother is zipping back and forth across the bridge without $15 charges racking up in her mind. So, reach out and let her know what’s happening.

Tell her that you’re happy to keep paying for the gift, but that you’d love to find a reasonable budget for it. Hopefully, she’ll be more than understanding and come up with a solution that works for both of you, be it less frequent trips, public transportation or sending you a check every month.

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Send questions to R. Eric Thomas at [email protected] or P.O. Box 22474, Philadelphia, PA 19110. Follow him on Instagram and sign up for his weekly newsletter at rericthomas.com.