My friend and I disagree about whether one should mention an undercharge on a restaurant check to the server and offer to pay the higher amount. He says no, it's just the restaurant's tough luck that they made a mistake. I say yes because I received value and should pay for it. What do you think?
I'm with you. It's the ethical thing to do. What's more, some restaurants dock the server's pay for adding up a bill incorrectly or failing to charge for something ordered. Your honesty could prevent the server from being penalized for a small mistake that we all could make.
| Row 0 - Cell 0 | When Your Spouse Is a Moocher |
| Row 1 - Cell 0 | When a Business Tightens Its Belt |
| Row 2 - Cell 0 | As a Job Reference, Tell the Truth |
| Row 3 - Cell 0 | Who Gets Mom's Heirlooms? |
| Row 4 - Cell 0 | Report Your Fender Bender? |
Our son is goofing off in college and getting poor grades while we pay tuition, room and board. Are we morally obligated to support him?
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Be a smarter, better informed investor.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
No. Indeed, I would argue that you have a moral obligation not to. He's an adult (at least in age), and your parental duties are finished.
Tell him to take a break from college, get a job and save some money. He can let you know when he's ready to take his studies more seriously. Then share the college expenses with him while he demonstrates his new maturity.
With so many young people unable to afford college at all, it should be viewed as a precious opportunity, not a birthright.
Have a money-and-ethics question you'd like answered in this column? Write editor in chief Knight Kiplinger at ethics@kiplinger.com.
-
Stocks Rise to End a Volatile Week: Stock Market TodayThe market's fear index reached and retreated from a six-month intraday peak on Friday as stocks closed the week well.
-
Kiplinger News Quiz, Oct 17 — Longest Government Shutdown?Quiz We covered stories about the shutdown, Medicare and vehicle recalls this week, but why? Test yourself on the latest financial and business news.
-
Amazon Resale: Where Amazon Prime Returns Become Your Online BargainsFeature Amazon Resale products may have some imperfections, but that often leads to wildly discounted prices.
-
Roth IRA Contribution Limits for 2025Roth IRAs Roth IRAs allow you to fund your retirement with after-tax dollars while you're working, and then withdraw those contributions and earnings tax-free when you retire. Here's a look at 2025 limits and income-based phaseouts.
-
Four Tips for Renting Out Your Home on Airbnbreal estate Here's what you should know before listing your home on Airbnb.
-
Five Ways to a Cheap Last-Minute VacationTravel It is possible to pull off a cheap last-minute vacation. Here are some tips to make it happen.
-
How Much Life Insurance Do You Need?insurance When assessing how much life insurance you need, take a systematic approach instead of relying on rules of thumb.
-
When Does Amazon Prime Day End in October? Everything We Know, Plus the Best Deals on Samsonite, Samsung and MoreAmazon Prime The Amazon Prime Big Deal Days sale ends soon. Here are the key details you need to know, plus some of our favorite deals members can shop before it's over.
-
How to Shop for Life Insurance in 3 Easy Stepsinsurance Shopping for life insurance? You may be able to estimate how much you need online, but that's just the start of your search.
-
Five Ways to Shop for a Low Mortgage RateBecoming a Homeowner Mortgage rates are high this year, but you can still find an affordable loan with these tips.
