DEAR ABBY: My father, who is retired, has always had a big heart and almost no regard for himself. Recently he shared that he’s been helping the family who lives upstairs, quietly giving them money for rent and groceries and once for a car repair. DEAR ABBY: I am a member of a small group of women who have traveled together internationally in the last few years. That way, you get your money back, and the rest of the group gets their vacation without paying extra. Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips.