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My partner loves a large outfitting company that has a very generous return policy. The store will accept nearly any return within a year of purchase. My partner has been buying fairly expensive items from the store, using them while we travel and then returning them, even though they have …

I have been unemployed for six months, during which time I’ve faced a tough job market with few interviews and no offers. Now I’ve been offered a senior executive role in an industry that is, while legal, known for exploiting financially vulnerable people through predatory practices. The role comes with …

My family recently adopted a rescue dog. As we were going through a long list of possible names for our pup, two of the more charming possibilities were Odin (the king of the gods in ancient Norse mythology) and Zeus (the leader of the gods in ancient Greek mythology). I …

A decade ago, the University of Michigan intentionally placed itself in the vanguard of a revolution then beginning to reshape American higher education. Around the country, college administrators were rapidly expanding D.E.I. programs. They believed that vigorous D.E.I. efforts would allow traditionally underrepresented students to thrive on campus — and …

For 18 months, I’ve taken a weekly lesson at a stable that specializes in therapeutic work. The team here helps disabled people experience horseback riding and nonmounted equine exercises; they also have a kids’ program. The barn is truly my happy place, so much so that I have volunteered at …

From the moment JD Vance came onto the national stage, he was inextricably linked to Donald Trump. As the author of the best-selling book “Hillbilly Elegy,” Vance was initially the Trump whisperer, explaining the Trump phenomenon and 2016 win to shocked liberals. Back then, Vance didn’t like Trump. He called …

No matter where they live, the beginning of a new school year is an opportunity for kids to show the world who they are and what they think looks cool right now. But how much does where you live play into personal style? To see if we could spot any …

Our 30-something son has been seriously dating a smart, capable woman for more than a year. They seem very happy; they recently moved in together and are talking about their long-term future, including the possibility of having children. She fits in well with our family and is a good influence …

My husband and I have been together since 1976. We have not always lived together, and we haven’t pledged to be monogamous. But neither have we had an ‘‘open marriage’’ or been promiscuous. An occasional fling when we have been traveling separately has been pretty satisfying. Recently I discovered emtricitabine …

I’m a man who recently had a fling with a man who is in a monogamous heterosexual relationship. We had sex twice. While I am in a nonmonogamous relationship myself, I respect the practice of monogamy. Normally I wouldn’t get involved with someone who is unfaithful. But here I felt …