Summary: The letter writer, a 27-year-old woman, was raised with privilege but also worked student jobs and applied to the job market like everyone else. After her grandfather’s passing, she inherited a small fortune, enough to never work again. However, her fiancé thinks they should quit their jobs and rely on the inheritance. The letter writer is concerned about her fiancé’s changing values and lack of empathy since receiving the money. She is considering calling off the wedding but still loves him and seeks advice on how to handle the situation.
Paragraph 1: The letter writer, a 27-year-old woman, shares her concern about her fiancé’s changing values since she inherited a small fortune after her grandfather’s passing. Despite both having worked student jobs and entering the job market, her fiancé now wants to quit his job and live off their inheritance. The woman, however, still loves her job and hopes to continue working. She also notices her fiancé’s lack of empathy and newfound desire for expensive meals, which contradicts their shared experience of working low-wage jobs while studying. She is torn between calling off the wedding due to these concerns and her love for her fiancé.
Paragraph 2: In response to the letter, the columnist advises the woman to have an open conversation with her fiancé about their values and future plans. She suggests discussing the possibility of his music career not taking off and what his backup plan is in that case. The columnist also emphasizes the importance of aligning spending and saving values before marriage and warns about the potential negative effects of fame and increased wealth on a person’s empathy. She suggests consulting a financial planner together to determine a realistic financial strategy and to establish boundaries regarding the inherited money.
Paragraph 3: The second letter in the article is from someone who moved across the country for their dream job but struggles with the high cost of living. Despite earning more than their family, the writer’s relatives expect them to financially support them, leading to a confrontation at a restaurant. The writer expresses frustration with their family’s expectations and desires advice on how to respond to their demands. In response, the columnist advises the letter writer to be honest and firm with their family about their financial situation. They suggest explaining the reality of the high cost of living and setting boundaries regarding what they can afford to contribute. The columnist also recommends discussing the situation with their sibling and informing them that they have a budget for Christmas gifts, which their sister-in-law should respect.
