Couple knows woman is hiding massive debt from her husband

Dear Annie: My wife and I are in a pickle. We are friends with another couple, “Josh” and “Vanessa.” Vanessa happens to be a teacher at our kids’ school. One day, I was picking up my offspring and started chatting with her. I could tell she was sad and asked her about it. That’s when the floodgates opened.

She started telling me how she’s racked up credit card debt, and she said Josh doesn’t know about it. Josh has been under a lot of stress, and she doesn’t want to tell him. I consoled her and asked how much, thinking maybe a few hundred bucks. She said it was $17,000.

I lied and told her it’s OK. I also told her she has to tell Josh. She agreed and said she’s planning on doing it next month, after he’s past a deadline at work. Then she asked whether

Today is Sunday, Aug. 1, the 213th day of 2021. There are 152 days left in the year. my wife and I would lend her $500 for the time being so she could pay the minimum. I told her we’d talk it over.

First, should we give her the money? Second, if need be, should we tell Josh at some point? If we were to tell him, Vanessa would hate us. But otherwise, Josh would hate us after eventually finding out. What would you do?

Sit this one

Dear Couple: out.

Don’t give Vanessa the money. Doing so would only enable her to maintain her spending addiction.

Don’t talk to Josh. Let Vanessa be the one to tell him. She’ll have to do it soon anyway if you don’t lend her the money for the credit card minimum.

I know you want to help, but resist. The road to hell is paved with good intentions, and it’s got an express lane for people who get in the middle of their friends’ relationship problems.

Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com. To find out more about Annie Lane and read features by other Creators Syndicate columnists and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www .creators.com.

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