<prompt> Human: Hey, all. Got a question to throw out. Male, early 30s. My credit score is terrible -- years of chronic under-employment never broke 25k working in my field after dropping out in year 3, and several years at far, far less mean theres about 60k in student loan debt. Previously had my wages garnished, too. This has led to a credit score in the 400 range -- literally had a loan officer laugh when she saw it and I wanted 5k for a used car. Fortunately, Im so far in debt up to my eyeballs that I never had a credit card, let alone debt from one like many people in my situation. No car payments, etc., either. Future wifes is 750 with a good job in the 60k range. Also has school debt, but despite more school its lower in total and under control with savings set aside. We live in a rural area, and on just her were above median household income, and median housing price is under 75k here. Shes pre-approved for 100k -- we expect to go much lower, as were DIY-types -- and 20 isnt a problem for her on her own.My question is this: Are we better getting a house with just her name -- and me paying rent for a while -- or getting married first? While my income would help pay the bills, I think my credit score might torpedo the whole thing. This question -- and the debt question in general -- is the reason we havent set a date yet. Short of getting a new job -- economically depressed area, but she cant leave, so Im thinking a Civil Service job -- Im not sure about long-term solutions other than socking away 100 of my 400 a week pay to take one of the 15k reduced settlement offers I get occasionally in about five years.  <response>: honestly, if I was in your position, I would not buy a house, or even think about buying a house. I can tell you after fixing my own homes, you will severely underestimate the amount of you will need to fix a house and it will land you more in the hole.So no, dont buy a house. Also the fact that you are hoping for a reduced settlement offer in 5 years sets off red flag for me. Its the attitude, not that you have chronic under-employment. You have to make yourself marketable, take your skills and apply them better. Now that your thinking about marriage, its no longer for yourself, but for your wife as well. Eventually you will feel like you are dragging her down this is not to sound insensitive, its just a fact that I have seen often in my own friends. You have to start actively attacking your debt. Civil Service job is a good way to start, but know that these jobs dont offer raises that often. You can of course use it a stepping stone and move between gov offices. after marriage, comes kids. You may think that it is far into the future, but it will come more quickly than you think. You need to keep this in the back of your mind even though it is not an immediate thing. 