Virgo Sun Pisces Moon

How do you know that I’m not in debt?

I don’t… (Laughing)… sometimes rich people, look like they have a lot, but there is a lot of debt. I wouldn’t know. How would I know? Maybe if I get to ask your accountant one day, otherwise, how would I know?! I honestly have no other answer here. How would I know?

I wouldn’t even know with some Aunties and Uncles. Even some seemingly rich friends. How would any of us know?! We’re not about to go confront them. They exist as they do. We give them face. There’s no reason to suspect. It wouldn’t affect me personally, either. They exist as they do.

So you think some rich people just exist for years and years and years with a huge amount of debt hanging over them?

Well… It’s not as uncommon as you might think.

How do YOU know?!

(Laughing) because I have some friends who work for banks, and they said to me, “You’d be surprised…” (Laughing)…

What’s your attitude about all that?

I think that… there’s strategic debt and then there’s “oh no! I’m drowning!” debt. You get what I mean? If you have strategic debt — well, who am I to say anything? Maybe that really is between you and your bankers or accountants or whoever else is part of whatever that is… If you have “oh no! I’m drowning!” debt — (I don’t even know how to describe my facial expression right now) — it’s… I’d be reluctant to marry you, I would. I mean, for richer or poorer, but — irresponsibly poorer?! That’s tough.

Where do you feel like you are right now with all this?

(Chuckles) I am… lucky that my parents have always made me feel like, I don’t have any “oh no! I’m drowning!” debt… (KNOCK ON WOOD)… but have I been 100% super smart and strategic? No. It’s more like… “foolishly lucky that it’s not yet drowning” debt. And… eventually will be paid off, no dramas. But — marriage? Maybe hold off until that time? I don’t know. Or do people make all those boundaries clearer in a prenup? I haven’t googled. But I also wouldn’t mind.

I haven’t googled this either. I just feel like, whatever you have — I could probably just pay it off for you in a day. It’s not even like, more than some cars I own. But — you wouldn’t want me to do that.

(Laughing) You’re right. I wouldn’t want you to do that. If my parents decided NOT to do that for a reason, there’s no reason either, for YOU to do that.

(Taken aback) So whatever “foolish” debt you have, your parents could just pay it off in a day? They’re always your backup? They could just buy you a new car in a day. Any day.

I didn’t say that. (Smiles)

(Slow blinking, puzzled…)

Why would I say that? In public?! I didn’t say that. I said they make me FEEL LIKE, they are my back up. I don’t actually know if they can be my backup and thankfully I haven’t had to call for backup. (KNOCK ON WOOD).

I’m gonna be your backup. I’m your husband now. I’ll be your backup! Not just “feel like” your backup. Your actual backup. Bank of Husband backup. No more Bank of Mum & Dad.

(Laughing) Wow… what a RELIEF for my parents! They’ll feel ecstatic!

“Finally! Our daughter has a GOOD MAN to rely on! Not us! It’s all on HIS SHOULDERS now!”

(Smiling) So you think that… “strategic debt” is like — not more than the cost of a car? Is that your attitude about strategic debt?

I think if you have the cash backup for something like the cost of a car, then you have some level of strategic debt that’s not more than that sum — that’s pretty smart. I don’t know how practical that is for most people. But ideally? Perhaps? In an ideal financial situation? That would be… easier? I don’t know. I haven’t thought about it that much. It’s just a general assumption. I don’t know.

So… did your parents not have mortgages to pay off? They just buy houses in cash?

How would I know that? I was just a little girl when they bought our house. How would I know? All I can say is that I’ve never heard them talking about a “mortgage” as a burden for our family. That’s all I know.

So if you had a good husband to rely on, your parents are happy. If you have a “oh no! I’m drowning!” debt husband — that is a burden.

That would be a burden. Yes. (Nodding) I’ll still love him. Emotionally — I’m right there. But that would be a new burden to take on, yes.