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Dave Says: Marriage and Money

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Dear Dave,

My husband and I have been through your Financial Peace University class. I’ve always been the numbers nerd, although he’s catching on and doing pretty well. But he has a Harley-Davidson he bought a few years ago before we got married, and he still owes $7,000 on it. My common sense says we need to sell it, but he doesn’t want to even though we haven’t been riding in over a year. What should I do?

- Gina

Dear Gina,

Well, it sounds like he’s making progress and we don’t want to ruin that. So here’s the question: if you win the Harley battle, do you lose relationship war? In other words, if you force him to give up the motorcycle, will it damage the marriage and the progress he’s made toward getting out of debt and learning how to handle money?

If I were you, Gina, I’d first sit down with him and tell him how proud I am for the way he’s trying to improve the financial situation in your home. Then, I’d suggest that the Harley is a stumbling block to your shared financial goals. Ask him what he’d be willing to do to get the motorcycle paid off more quickly. Would he pick up a part-time job, or maybe sacrifice something else he’s spending money on and get the Harley paid off in six months?

But let him know the motorcycle isn’t really the issue. The issue is that you guys need a plan to get this $7,000 debt out of your life. And who knows? Maybe when the debt is gone, you guys will feel good enough to saddle up and start riding again!

- Dave

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About The Author

Dave
Ramsey

Dave Ramsey is America's trusted voice on money and business. He has authored five New York Times best-selling books: Financial Peace, More Than Enough, The Total Money Makeover, and EntreLeadership. His newest book, written with his daughter Rachel Cruze, is titled Smart Money, Smart Kids. The Dave Ramsey Show is heard by more than 8 million listeners each week on more than 500 radio stations.