Dear Angela,
My girlfriend has $26,000 in college debt. We have been getting pretty serious lately, so I guess she felt it was time to drop that incredible financial bomb on me. I have not gone to college yet, so I'm pretty naive when it comes to college debt. I love her, but I don't think it's smart to pursue marriage with someone whose finances are so out of whack. Does this make me shallow?
Thanks,
MoneyProbs
Dear MoneyProbs,
It's smart to consider finances before getting married, but $26,000 in college debt is not a hugely outrageous figure. The national average in 2014 reached $30,000 per student in six states, according to a report by the Project on Student Debt.
The important question is, does your girlfriend have a plan to pay off her student loan debt? If she's got a strong plan and an income to support that plan, her debt doesn't equal "finances out of whack." It just means she made an investment (in herself) and will hopefully see a return. Do you plan on going to school? Will you use student loans? If so, what kind? If you marry this woman, will she help support you financially while you're in school? Are you both cool with that?
There are lots of things to consider before getting married. It's not about being shallow or not shallow; it's just important that in all marriage or leading to marriage relationships, the two people talk openly and honestly about their financial future.
Good luck!
Love,
Angela
Dear Readers: How have you handled the financial conversation before marriage. Share your thoughts in the comments and join the Ask Angela Facebook Community at facebook.com/askangelaslc. For more Ask Angela visit the blog at askangelaslc.wordpress.com.
Angela Trusty is a millennial writer who lives and writes about the Latter-day Saint experience. Twitter: askange_column