She says that I make her want to be her best self. She has been intensely studying for her GED over the last month. I help her out with any questions that she has, but I think she would benefit more from direct tutoring.
We talk about everything. I have been slowly getting a feel for what she would like to do with her career. She’s incredibly unhappy with her current and past jobs. She was ultimately the one that suggested a trade skill.
All right. If that's what she prefers, then I'll veer away from my other points. If I were in your shoes, and falling for someone striving to better themselves, I'd want to lend a hand. It doesn't always mean throwing money at the problem. Alternatively, you could try to offer support in smaller ways to keep her moving forward. Debts tend to stick around, and if you wait to clear them in a few years, hopefully, your relationship will be mature enough that your wife will feel better about it. That could be the best way to make everyone happy, except for you, of course, because I imagine you'd like to get the best deal on that debt, and time passing would rob you of that.
I can partially relate to the situation. I dropped out of high school, but managed to earn my GED. Eventually, I pursued and earned a lucrative advanced degree. It wasn't easy; I worked part-time and relied on loans, scholarships, and funding to get by. Looking back, I doubt I could do it all over again today. The challenges facing people trying to get ahead these days, especially with the cost of living, seem tougher than ever.
I don’t really see a trade as aiming low, per se. I have a degree and understand its value, but mine has direct applicability to my career. I also chose my field purely on income potential. I have watched a number of people get degrees, and then find themselves not only in a minimum wage job, but now with tens of thousands of debt.
I agree that some educational investments don't always pay off as expected. However, it's surprising to hear someone who understands the importance of education share these anecdotes. People can indeed find creative ways to lose money on investments, but with a bit of insight or investigation, the risks can often be minimized.
Trade skills can make good money. Truck drivers, welders, electricians and plumbers can easily make as much as an entry or midlevel software engineer. They are also more insulated from outsourcing.
This statement relies on a specific intersection of two income bell curves, where the highest-earning, most skilled, and hardest-working welders might earn a salary comparable to that of the lowest-earning, least skilled software engineers. However, this isn't a reliable basis for determining average outcomes.
I don’t believe it’s possible to close the income or wealth gap between us. I have nearly 2 decades of self-imposed austerity, debt elimination and investment on her. My wealth makes far more than she does and it’s only growing.
I did consider that possibility, which is why I included the qualifier 'similarly empowering.' In my view, a significant range of wealth would indeed fall into that category. For instance, being able to afford most homes in your local market, relocating easily, and have the means to buy or lease most new cars, all while saving to build wealth, is achievable with a professional salary. My point is, if someone earns that kind of income, they likely wouldn't hesitate to move out of a wealthy boyfriend's guest house.
don’t you want me baby 
