Elizabeth Bernstein

Getting Along With the Original Other Woman

online.wsj.com — Jim Brown knew he was in trouble before his mother finished asking the question. "Am I a better cook than your wife?" she asked, calmly stirring a pot on the stove in her kitchen. With his wife, Joy, standing next to him, Mr. Brown stammered and stuttered.

What Makes People Overshare?

online.wsj.com — After arguing with her husband one Sunday, Vasavi Kumar was so upset that she called up her mom, her dad, her sister and three of her closest friends. "This is it," she told each one. "He is never going to understand me. I am getting a divorce." Guess what happened the next day.

Diva Behavior and Narcissism: Healthy or Unhealthy?

online.wsj.com — About a dozen times a year, strangers invite Jeffrey Gitomer to lunch, hoping to ask him for career or business advice. Mr. Gitomer, a sales consultant, speaker and author, is always happy to help: "Sure, no problem. I'll even buy lunch," he tells the entrepreneurs and small-business owners who call.

Lying to a Spouse: Relationship Advice on How It Can Be Healthy

online.wsj.com — In 47 years of marriage, there are a few things Sherri Mills hasn't told her husband, Gerald, such as what she really spends on makeup. Or how she indulges the kids. But these things don't compare with what Ms. Mills calls the "one real whopper of omission" in her relationship with her husband.

Advice for Making New Friends: Share But Don't Overshare

online.wsj.com — Carla Madrigal knew nobody in Seattle when she moved there last year after 38 years in San Francisco. She wanted to make new friends. "It was pretty devastating to be so anonymous," the 68-year-old artist says. To meet people, Ms. Madrigal made herself get out of the house every day.

10 Ways to Show Your Spouse Love

online.wsj.com — Chris Kline doesn't like to tell his wife of 17 years, Tara, that he loves her. He prefers to show her-by loading her favorite songs on her phone and warming up her car on cold mornings. While she was away on business recently, he surprised her by painting her home office in her favorite colors, Mardi Gras purple and gold.

Business News & Financial News

online.wsj.com — The latest episode in Morgan Stanley's recently stormy relationship with the cost of money is what could end up being a large trading loss on wrong-way bets on inflation expectations. The world reacts to one of the strangest explanations ever for losing a soccer game.

How to Help an Overweight Partner Lose Weight

online.wsj.com — Betsy and Jarom Schow agree that the biggest problem they've faced in 12 years of marriage isn't money, sex or parenting. It's weight. Ms. Schow, 31 years old, was heavy for much of her life. When she was growing up, her family ate a lot of processed foods and takeout, and she rarely exercised, she recalls.

Business News & Financial News

online.wsj.com — The latest episode in Morgan Stanley's recently stormy relationship with the cost of money is what could end up being a large trading loss on wrong-way bets on inflation expectations. The world reacts to one of the strangest explanations ever for losing a soccer game.

Setting Boundaries With Family Members

online.wsj.com — When nosy relatives step over the line, be calm, clear and set firm boundaries, writes Elizabeth Bernstein.

Live Chat: Surviving Family Holidays

blogs.wsj.com — Have a hard time coping with your family over the holidays? For many, anticipation is mixed with dread, knowing that every year, certain topics and personalities create tension around the hearth. In this week's Bonds column, Elizabeth Bernstein explores some new ideas, including turning to games like Dysfunctional Family Bingo.She'll take your questions and comments in a live chat on Tuesday at 11:30 a.m.