I am fascinated by the way men and women relate, and if that doesn’t make me an expert, it may make me a kind of student teacher. Hopefully this column will help share a little of what I’ve learned, and maybe shed some light on the way men think, from one man’s perspective.

My BF always gets on my case about purchases I make with my own money. For example, he asks why I waste so much money on getting my nails done and last week went through a shopping bag of mine, only to find out the shoes I bought cost over $100. He flipped a lid and told me that was so extravagant and he can’t believe I could be so impractical. We do live together, so we split the bills and rent, but since I bought this with my own money, I’m not sure why he cares so much. I make a very good living (actually more than him) so I think if I want to buy something it’s my business. Am I wrong? Why does this upset him so much?
- Rich & Pretty, 29

Sounds like your boyfriend is a nice combination of controlling and insecure. Next time he flips a lid, call him out on it. Do you bother him about what he chooses to do with his money? What would he rather you do with yours? Focus on why he feels he has the right to interrogate and snoop, and how it makes you feel. Maybe he has a valid concern, or maybe he’s just an asshole. Based on what he says, you’ll know what to do.

I love my boyfriend and I think he always looks great, but every year around football season, he starts to gain a little weight- like 10-15 lbs. It’s not the weight that really bothers me, it’s the fact that everything he and his buddies eat and drink is totally unhealthy (cheez whiz nachos, full calorie beer, tons of red meat). The stuff is not only making him squishy, but also killing his heart slowly but surely. Is there anyway I can bring this up to him without coming off as mean?
- Cushion for the Pushin’, 28

I’m not sure there’s a great way to bring up your boyfriend’s “squishiness” without sounding bossy or like a nag. Things I’m sure most girls would like to avoid. Rather than worry about what he eats while watching football, why not focus on what he eats and does the rest of the week? If you concentrate on eating healthy and staying active as a couple all week, you probably won’t mind giving him a pass on game day.

What is the point of having cheerleaders at professional football games? At home, you see them for 10 seconds before they go to commercial and I imagine if you are actually at the stadium you probably see even less of them. So, I thought maybe a guy could explain this for me.
- Fed Up Fem, 25

Because without them grown men in tight outfits wrestling over a ball would be a little too gay.

This is the first official installment of Jerrod Melman’s column, “Advice from a Jerrk.” If you have relationship or guy-related questions for Jerrod, just send an email to AskJerrod@PoorlittleRichGirls.com. When he’s not working on his advice column, Jerrod is a managing partner of Hub 51, River North’s hottest dining, nightlife and social establishment created by him and his brother, R.J.