There are some important things to consider today when making an offer to a homeowner in foreclosure. If and when their home goes up for auction, the opening bid is calculated by the balance of the loan, court fees, attorney fees, and advertising costs for the legal ad. At the auction, the auctioneer will open the bid at that amount. If no one else bids, the house is sold back to the lender and it becomes a lender-owned property.

The etymology of “nostalgia” combines the Greek words for home and pain. Many of us see nostalgia as just that: homesickness for a time past. But for millions of Americans, what we might like to call the good old days weren’t so good.

Dear Annie: I would like to add to your advice to the mom whose 22-year-old daughter wants to move into her own apartment. Based on past experience, “Distressed About Departing Dependent” is worried that her daughter will soon be asking her for money to pay rent, which she is unable to provide. Your advice was to support her in other ways, but “if she asks for cash, tell her no, and stick to it.” The baby bird needs to learn to fly on her own. Good advice, but wrong timing.

In May, Nebraska became the 49th state to enact a school choice bill. I spoke at the bill signing and could hardly believe it was reality, even as Gov. Jim Pillen announced Legislative Bill 753 was now law. For many advocates across the state, this victory was a long time coming and was the key to new opportunities for thousands of Nebraska’s neediest students.