DEAR ABBY: I recently had a blow-up with my father because he is buying an $8,500 used car for my sister’s boyfriend. The BOYfriend is almost 50 and divorced three times. He is currently without a job or transportation. Meanwhile, my father is unwilling to help me fix the vehicle I own. Your thoughts? — DISAPPOINTED SON IN FLORIDA

DEAR SON: I can see why you might be upset, but it is your father’s money, and he is entitled to do with it as he wishes. My thought is that you should not count on your father to bail you out — for anything. Your father may have chosen to do this to get the financial pressure off your sister.

Read more Dear Abby and other advice columns.

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.