Here is this week's questions for our agony aunt Ask Janice. 

If you have a question, get in touch with news@glasgowtimes.co.uk

Dear Janice, my girlfriend left me for my best mate, and I am devastated.

She had never shown any interest in him until he won £30,000 on the Post Code Lottery.

Next minute, they are a couple. I don’t earn a huge amount of money but what I did have, I spent on her.

Whatever she wanted I bought her. Hair extensions, designer bags, gym membership, she named it and I bought it.

Not only have I lost my girlfriend, but I have lost a good mate too. She says they are both still happy to be friends with me, but I can’t see how that would work. I bump into them now and then and she is always dripping with designer shopping bags. Same on Facebook. I know they are not deliberately rubbing it in, but it is still hard to accept.

I can’t move away, so how do I handle this. Jas.

Dear Jas, you are the one who has won the lottery, you just don’t realise it yet.

Getting shot of this greedy, selfish so-called girlfriend and gullible two-faced mate is the best thing that could have happened to you. Albeit the circumstances are cruel, unkind and thoughtless.

Delete them on all social media and for a while, avoid the places they are likely to be.

As for remaining friends, well that’s big of them to offer their friendship, but who wants to be friends with a couple of snakes?

Sit back and let them burn themselves out. £30,000 is certainly not to be sniffed at, however at the rate she is spending, his winnings will disappear faster than credit on a prepayment meter! Jas, you seem to be a kind, generous guy, so take my advice and next time you meet a girl, hold back on the endless spending. It is wonderful to receive gifts but if she is really into you, it won’t be a dealbreaker.

If it is, then it is no grounds for a fulfilling relationship. Move on.

Dear Janice, at a birthday lunch recently, I caused a major fall-out with my family by suggesting that we stop giving each other Christmas gifts this year.

I reckoned this was a great way to save everyone money because they moaned all through lunch about how skint they were. I wasn’t being mean, just practical.

Last year we all bought gifts for each other and to be honest, most feigned a smile because no one really needed or wanted anything they received.

The whole thing felt as though we were just ticking a Christmas box by swapping these useless gifts. To me it seemed a complete waste of money, so I thought this was the solution.

But other than my sister-in-law who agrees with me, everyone said that they thought I was being mean, and I only suggested it for the completely opposite reasons.

How do we have a Christmas Day that suits everyone? Bill.

Dear Bill, you don’t.

There will always be someone who moans no matter what.

It really is just another day, but I’m afraid so many people don’t see it that way.

The hype starts in September and by the time the ‘big day’ is here, expectations are unrealistic and that’s when things can go wrong.

We all love a gift and Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without one or two, so set a limit, say £30 per person, and organise a Secret Santa. Draw names and anonymously buy one person a gift to the agreed value. That way everyone gets something and finances are kept on track. And, if it is not the gift they want, then not a huge amount has been wasted. I hope it goes well.

Dear Janice, we have an 18-year-old cat who is very ill. My wife had her for 10 years before we were married so naturally, she is extremely attached to her. However, the vets’ bills are crippling.

The poor old cat is never going to get any better and even the vet suggested it could be time to put her to sleep, but my wife won’t hear of it.

When I suggested it, I was called uncaring, mean, tight fisted etc. But I’m not, I am just trying to do what’s right for all concerned.

What should I do? John.

Dear John, nothing I’m afraid.

If you put this precious pet to sleep, its demise will be cast up to you for the rest of your life.

It is a tricky situation because everyone’s finances are tight at the moment and I know you think you are throwing good money after bad, but you’re not repairing an old clapped-out car, it is a pet which has been part of your wife’s life for a very long time.

It will be devastating enough when the inevitable happens without you being complicit in this decision. Perhaps you can cut back on some things to help pay the bills and speak to the vet to find out if they have a payment plan on offer.

I never advise debt, but could you get a loan from a relative? Or dip into savings? I’m sorry, but unless your wife realises the discomfort and hopelessness of her feline friend’s situation, there is little else you can do.