Dear Annie: Five years ago, my husband and I lost our business. In an effort to keep it going, he did some illegal things and spent six months in prison. After he was released, we moved to a modest home in a modest neighborhood, and I went back to work. We drive inexpensive cars, clip coupons and shop at discount stores. We found a wonderful church, and our lives are happier now. The problem is our so-called "best friends." Those country-club couples dropped us like hot potatoes when this happened. Not one person stood by us. They were friendly if I ran into them, but that's where it ended.

Since the economy has tanked, a lot of these same people are having money problems of their own. They now call to ask how I was able to downsize. One woman in particular wants to meet for lunch. I have no desire to renew a friendship with these people and do not miss a single one of them. But I can't keep making excuses to avoid them. How do I tell this woman I'm not interested without being too blunt? Any ideas?

— Happy Living on the Wrong Side of Town

Dear Happy: Sometimes the shoe has to be on the other foot before a person can appreciate your problems. Your ex-friends would probably welcome your support, the same way you would have. If, however, you cannot manage quite that much compassion, the nice way to end a friendship is to let it drift away. Keep making excuses. You'll be consistently polite while sounding sincere, and they'll eventually stop asking.

Dear Annie: For the past year, every time I swallow, my throat clicks. I am a nervous wreck about this. My ENT said he'd never heard of such a symptom. I saw two other ENTs who treat more complicated throat problems, but they could not help me, either.

I was wondering if any of your readers have suggestions. In the beginning it was painful, but now it is tolerable. Still, I'd like to fix it because I am ...

— Desperate in Pennsylvania

Dear Desperate: This is not as uncommon as you might think, but the reason is sometimes difficult to assess. We assume your doctors eliminated any serious conditions behind the clicking. One theory is that the hyoid bone in the throat presses against cartilage and causes a clicking sound. It's harmless, but truly annoying. Some people find it helps if they swallow with their head in a different position.

Meanwhile, if any of our readers have the solution, we will be happy to print it.