Hi, Helaine: The government deposited the $1,200 check we are getting to help us get through the coronavirus lockdowns and shutdowns in my checking account. No problem. My question is about what I should do with the sum.

I am working from my condo, and my position seems secure, but I know anything can happen, especially if this lasts into the fall. I have some emergency savings set aside, but not the recommended three months of it. I think I should put this check there and not think about it again.

But one friend says I'm fine while millions aren't, and I should give the money to a local food bank. That's what she is planning to do. Another gal pal says she's going to use the money to stimulate the economy, so she will order in dinner from restaurants that are still open, buy a dress on Poshmark and things like that. What would you do? -- Spend or Save

Dear Spend or Save: This is a really good question. As you are discovering firsthand, there are many ways to answer it. None of them is wrong.

It is good to buttress your emergency savings, especially when, like you, you don't have enough of it -- and I would say that even if we weren't living through a pandemic-fueled mega recession. Giving to charity is also a good thing to do. Your friend is right. Food pantries are seeing overwhelming demand from people less fortunate than you, even as the pantries' financial resources are lacking. They do need help.

Finally, it's also good to spend the money in a way to help businesses that are really suffering right now, which is what it sounds like another of your friends is doing. Here's the great thing: This isn't an either/or choice. You can do all three. You can divide the money up in such a way that some of it goes to emergency savings, some of it goes to charity, and some of it goes to supporting local entrepreneurs. That's what I would recommend.

(To ask Helaine a question, email her at askhelaine@gmail.com.)

(EDITORS: For editorial questions, please contact Sue Roush at sroush@amuniversal.com)

Hi, Helaine: I've got four middle-aged children, and I am well-off. My youngest daughter, age 45, is married to a man who is spiteful and possibly mentally ill. For more than a decade, he's done his best to alienate my daughter from me.

She and I are now on good terms after several difficult years, but I don't like the idea of her husband inheriting anything from me, so in my will I say if my daughter predeceases me, he is to get nothing. (They have no children.) A friend thinks this is a terrible idea, and will create bad feelings among my children because, of course, if my daughter is alive when I die, she will very likely see this clause excluding her husband. Is there a way I can keep everyone happy while also making sure my money goes to my children and not this interloper? -- Not a Penny for Son-in-Law

Dear Not a Penny: This is actually an easy one. If a beneficiary dies prior to the person who wrote the will, their share reverts to the estate and is divided among the other inheritors. Nothing need be said at all. If your other children have children, and you want them to inherit if their parent passes before you, you will need to put language in the will saying that. If you haven't done so already, I suggest doing that.

The only issue here is if you are worried about another child's spouse and want them to inherit in the sad event of a child predeceasing you. I see two solutions here. Either suggest they look into term life insurance to cover the amount they could expect to inherit. Or -- and this goes back to your original problem -- simply put language in your will that takes care of the daughter- or son-in-law you want to make sure is financially OK.

That won't necessarily make for peace in the family, but then again, what does your daughter expect? If she spent a decade with a man who attempted -- to use your word -- to alienate her from you, she shouldn't be surprised that you don't favor her husband. It's your money, and yours to parcel out as you wish

(To ask Helaine a question, email her at askhelaine@gmail.com.)

(EDITORS: For editorial questions, please contact Sue Roush at sroush@amuniversal.com)

Hi, Helaine: I own a home that’s divided into four apartments. I live in one and rent out the other three units. I like some tenants more than others but never experienced a difficult problem until now. In one unit, my tenant lost her job and says she can’t pay the rent until she gets on unemployment. In another, the tenants said their income fell by half, and asked if they could pay a fraction of their April rent now, and make good over the next several months when the COVID-19 closures end. The third tenant is good. Paid in full on April 1.

I understand this is unexpected, but I also need the money. The mortgage bill is due every month, whether they pay me or not. I save money for emergencies, why don’t my tenants? I want to tell them that if I don’t receive payment by a set date, I’m going to need to ask them to leave. Letting this slide is also unfair to the person who did make sure I received the rent on schedule. How would you handle this situation? -- Landlord Blues

Dear Landlord Blues: You are hardly alone, and the coronavirus pandemic is not just impacting small landlords like yourself. Large commercial landlords are also finding their tenants cannot pay the rent. Many jurisdictions have put a pause on evictions during this crisis, but even if you lived in one that didn’t, I’m not recommending it. Leaving aside the fact that it’s cruel and nasty, what new renter are you finding in the midst of all this? Your tenants didn’t suddenly morph into deadbeats. They are, just like you, victims of a sudden global health emergency and related financial crisis. I would speak with the two tenants who came to you and work something out. The unemployment system is experiencing extreme delays in many areas of the country, so it’s likely they will receive cash within the next few weeks. But it’s also possible you might need to cut their rent for a time. I realize that’s not ideal, but A) some income is better than none and B) as my grandmother would say, be a mensch. (That’s Yiddish for decent human being.)

If you are experiencing trouble paying your mortgage as a result of this crisis, you should reach out to your lender and ask for forbearance. If your loan is backed by the federal government -- and many are -- your lender will need to grant you the breathing space. It’s not ideal but it is better than default. Finally, since you raise the matter of emergency savings, all professional landlords should have money set aside for eventualities like this. I’d use it if you need it. If this isn’t an emergency, I don’t know what is.

(To ask Helaine a question, email her at askhelaine@gmail.com.)

(EDITORS: For editorial questions, please contact Sue Roush at sroush@amuniversal.com)