Most Don't Want to Marry Debt

The majority of those who participated in a recent National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) poll, the Financial Literacy Opinion Index, say they would have serious reservations about taking on the debt of the person they love, even to the point of ending the relationship.

Thirty-seven percent of respondents said would not marry until the debt was repaid, while 10% indicated they would marry but not help pay the debt, and 7% reported they would end the relationship. The remaining 46% were willing to marry and jointly pay off the debt.

“It appears that debt overrides love, at least temporarily, when deciding to move forward in a relationship. It’s money over marriage,” says Gail Cunningham, spokesperson for the Washington, D.C.-based NFCC.

The NFCC offers resources for managing debt through its “Sharpen Your Financial Focus” program. More information about the program can be found here.

The poll was conducted from January 1 to 31, with 2,170 individuals participating.