How to Support a Partner With Debt – Ask Them: Are You Open to Advice or Support?
Not everyone wants help, but if you’re looking for how to support a partner with debt, there are some helpful ways to provide support — whether it’s budgeting together, finding affordable ways to enjoy dates, choosing frugal food or eating out options, meal planning to save on groceries, or even having a buddy to help break a costly habit. Exploring positive money habits can make a big different, like copying successful money habits to building financial confidence. Sometimes, exploring services you can get for free from a non-profit credit counselling agency is a useful first step.
Being open shows a willingness to grow, change, and have difficult conversations, especially if debt is causing stress. Instead of offering unsolicited advice, a mindful way to support a partner with debt may be to ask if it would be helpful to talk through a few options together. While they might not take you up on your offer right away, given a little time, they might surprise you and come around to accepting some help.
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Be diligent about cutting the ‘small spends’ in your budget to see some big savings. A good place to start is unsubscribing from newsletters and notifications from your favourite stores, sharing their upcoming bargains and must-have products.
You can scale back further on your discretionary spending, by making lunch and coffee at home and skipping the drive throughs whenever you can. Track how much money you’re saving or transfer the amount over to a savings account each day or week. It will give you a better sense of how much money you’re saving, and it will incentivize you to keep going!
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Debt doesn’t define your partner, but how they handle it—and how you talk about it—can shape your relationship’s future. These conversations don’t have to be scary or uncomfortable. In fact, they can bring you closer as a couple when there’s honesty, respect, and a willingness to understand where each other is coming from. Even if one of you isn’t ready to plan far ahead, starting small and taking things one step at a time can still make a difference. If you’re looking for support, our credit counsellors can help you and your partner understand your options and build a realistic plan to deal with your debt—without judgement and at no cost.
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