A reader reached out to the Pay Dirt advice column about their partner's unresolved student loan debt, which has been growing for years. The partner, who came from a low-income background, borrowed around $20,000 to complete their undergraduate degree and made payments until starting graduate school. However, they were told they couldn’t defer the loans because of a five-year gap between their undergraduate and graduate studies. They also weren’t offered an income-based repayment plan that would fit their low graduate stipend. As a result, they stopped making payments, and a debt collector’s notice arrived three years ago. The reader has tried various methods to help their partner, including therapy and legal advice, but their partner avoids the topic, citing trauma from growing up in poverty. The reader is seeking guidance on how to support their partner while ensuring the debt is addressed. The advice column explains that unless they share assets, the debt is the partner’s responsibility, and the reader should offer logistical help rather than taking on the debt themselves. Another reader wrote about a disagreement with their partner over moving to a larger home. The reader believes they can afford the move, citing their healthy 401(k) and 529 college savings accounts, as well as the potential for growth in their small business. However, the partner is worried about financial stability, especially due to the uncertainty of their job and the reader’s business income. The advice column suggests the reader should consider their current financial habits, such as selling stocks or using savings for vacations, which might indicate they are not as financially secure as they think. The columnist advises focusing on present income rather than future earnings and suggests having an open conversation with their partner to understand what financial stability means to both of them. A third reader wrote about the challenge of attending a friend’s destination wedding during the academic semester. The friend scheduled the wedding during the reader’s teaching period, making travel both impractical and expensive. The reader feels pressured to attend despite the personal and financial strain. The advice column acknowledges the friend’s desire for the reader’s presence but points out that it’s unreasonable to expect everyone to attend a destination wedding. The reader is encouraged to have an honest conversation with their friend, expressing appreciation for the invitation while explaining their inability to attend due to personal and financial constraints. The columnist also suggests alternative ways to celebrate, such as sending a gift or participating in the honeymoon, to show support without the pressure of travel.