I am 24 and live with my boyfriend in a modest apartment with cheap utilities. We both work (him: full time on salary, me: waiting tables (making great tips) while I finish college.) We split all the bills, and he is never late. He is also paying off a substantial amount of credit card debt and student loans. He is currently paying out as much as he can afford and living check-to-check. At this rate, it would take 5-10 years for him to pay everything off, if he stops using the credit cards (which is feasible.)
Here's the problem:
He can't stop using the credit card for frivolous purchases! (I'm talking thousand dollar mountain bikes.) He's gotten much better, but slips up on late-night e-bay shopping sprees. So why do I care and how does this affect me? In a way, his debt is mine too! We can't go on vacations or buy nice things for the house because he can't afford it. We've also discussed marriage, but he won't go through with it until we're "financially stable." I just want a civil ceremony at the court house with simple rings for both of us. Virtually no debt incurred there.
I feel like he's being selfish by not being more responsible with his finances. How do I make him see how much this hurts me?
Here's the problem:
He can't stop using the credit card for frivolous purchases! (I'm talking thousand dollar mountain bikes.) He's gotten much better, but slips up on late-night e-bay shopping sprees. So why do I care and how does this affect me? In a way, his debt is mine too! We can't go on vacations or buy nice things for the house because he can't afford it. We've also discussed marriage, but he won't go through with it until we're "financially stable." I just want a civil ceremony at the court house with simple rings for both of us. Virtually no debt incurred there.
I feel like he's being selfish by not being more responsible with his finances. How do I make him see how much this hurts me?