Money Moral Dilemma: Should I borrow to help my husband pay off his debt?

MSE_Kelvin
MSE_Kelvin Posts: 386 MSE Staff
Seventh Anniversary 10 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
edited 5 November 2024 at 2:59PM in Debt-free wannabe
This week's MoneySaver who wants advice asks...

My husband of just over a year (though we've been together for seven years) has got into £20,000 of debt. It's not clear how, although he's a generous person. I own the house we live in, and told him at the start of our relationship I didn't want any debt in the house. I don't earn a great salary, but I'm good with money and have savings. I've thought about getting a 0% credit card or a loan to help pay off his debt, but he struggles with confrontation and has walked out a couple of times, so I'm reluctant to take any of it on in case things don't work out. Should I help him?

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Comments

  • tacpot12
    tacpot12 Posts: 9,153 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    I definitely wouldn't offer to help him unless he asks for help and agrees to be honest/transparent with you in future. 

    He is likely to continue to struggle with his spending, so you need to try to understand what he is spending his money on and why. If he won't tell you, you should think about getting divorced to protect yourself. You can still stay together, but he needs to understand how serious his problem is, and getting divorced would reinforce this. 
    The comments I post are my personal opinion. While I try to check everything is correct before posting, I can and do make mistakes, so always try to check official information sources before relying on my posts.
  • You know the answer to this, with good reason you are doubting your marriage, it already hasn't 'worked out'.  In debt, and 'he struggles with confrontation and has walked out a couple of times'?  Perfect long-term partner.
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