Colleague refuses payment for help

DEAR ABBY: My colleagues and I were recently notified that our company is closing next month. My work partner is an expert at the software I need to know to get a job in my field. When I asked if he would give me a couple of lessons via Zoom, I was thinking it'd be about a three-hour commitment for him. But he was enthusiastic and designed a 20-plus-hour curriculum for me.

He keeps saying he doesn't want me to pay him, but I want to find an appropriate way to express my gratitude. What would be an appropriate amount to compensate him without getting too steep (which is why I didn't do the full-price software training in the first place. It was $2K)? Thanks for any advice. — Thankful in Illinois

DEAR THANKFUL: If you know of any interests, hobbies, a sport, etc. your partner has outside the workplace, consider going online to see if you can find something connected to that activity he would enjoy that's within your budget.

DEAR ABBY: Every year on Facebook's “National Daughter's Day,” my daughter's mother-inlaw professes her love, respect and admiration for her own daughter, but never acknowledges her daughter-in-law (my daughter). Yet on “National Son's Day,” she posts glowing tributes not only to her sons, but also to her son-in-law.

Should I address this issue with the mother-in-law? — Dismissed in Texas

DEAR DISMISSED: Mention it to your sonin-law and point out to him that being slighted is hurtful. There may be a better result if HE brings it up to his mother.

DEAR ABBY: I battle with a double chin. My chin hides itself only if I am under 126 pounds. Anything over that and it's there. I'm not overweight, but my double chin makes me feel that way.

I have read that dermal fillers in the chin can discreetly get rid of this issue. The problem? My husband. He's against any type of plastic surgery. He doesn't like my double chin either, but he wants me to only get rid of it “naturally.” Normally I would agree. I have been exercising (running four times a week) without success. Should I get the filler without my husband's blessing, or should I continue this struggle?

— Taking it on the Chin DEAR TAKING IT: You are an adult, and it's your body. You do not need permission to do something that will help you feel better about yourself. And by the way, fillers do not qualify as plastic surgery.