By By Abigail Van Buren
DEAR ABBY: I owe nearly $200,000 in student loans for my graduate school education. I’m a middle-aged female who has health issues. My income is marginal, as is my career. I had hoped years ago to be earning a six-figure income, own a home, have a family and enjoy some stability by this point. Obviously, that hasn’t panned out, nor do I consider my situation likely to change.
I am single, educated and still poor. I slave more than 40 hours a week for no benefits, no long-term stability, no home and only marginal survival. How should I explain all this if I did start to date someone? When should I mention my indebtedness to any prospect before watching him flee to the nearest exit? — MONEY WOES IN THE EAST
DEAR MONEY WOES: If you should be lucky enough to meet someone you think is special, the first words out of your mouth should NOT have anything to do with your bank balance. Get to know the person. Let him get to know you before divulging anything about your financial situation. At this point, many people of both sexes are worried about their financial futures. You are far from alone having these concerns.