How Marriage Got Me Out Of Debt

by Steph Auteri

Fear brings out the worst in people, and marriage certainly brought out the worst in me.

Unlike most young women I knew, I was less than thrilled to be going from a “me” to a “we.” Don’t get me wrong. I loved Michael, the man I was marrying, but I wasn’t used to taking others into consideration. I was rubbish at compromise. And, most of all, I was afraid that—by marrying—I would lose myself: my identity… my independence.

This is what made me a pathological liar.

As I couldn’t very well show my enduring independence by dating around, I grasped onto power wherever else I could. I maintained a healthy social life apart from Michael. I worked hard to build a successful and fulfilling career. I built our home upon my tastes and childhood dreams. I kept my checking account and credit card accounts separate from his.

Unfortunately, I had atrocious spending habits and, soon enough, I was lying about purchases, balances, bills, and more.