<prompt> Human: Hi Reddit. My mother in law is in a financial emergency and Im not sure how to pull her out of it.Long story short, MIL is 59 years old, is married to a man 20 years her senior, has no savings or 401k, is 23,000 in various credit card and loan debt, and has a credit score of around 430. She makes roughly 800mo from a part time job and commission work as an artist; her husband brings in 2200 in social security per month but has no other income or savings. She claims she does not have health insurance through ACA because she files separately due to her husbands tax delinquency. They live in a low cost of living area but are frankly living above their means 1500mo in rent, 800mo in groceries, 400mo in pet associated costs, etc. How can we help her reduce her spending, manage her debt, and become financially responsible? Ive tried explaining that she is in a financial emergency but she denies the severity of her situation and continues to spend money on luxuries brand name products, high cost grocery stores, salon visits, etc while neglecting her spiraling debt which includes store cards that have grown 500 just in interest and late fees. Most have been suspended by the creditor; many are in collections. I want to avoid throwing money at the problem e.g. wiping out her debt and paying to move her to a cheaper home because I have no reason to believe she will adjust her lifestyle and spending to match her unreliable income and crippling debt situation. But I also want to prepare adequately to avoid a scenario in the all too near future where something happens to her increasingly frail husband, she cant afford her rentbills, and my wife all but demands she move in with us... In my mind the solution is clear: reduce rent burden, lower everyday expenses, find higher income, and pay down debt starting with highest interest. But any tough conversation about what needs to go ends in tears. Any advice is much appreciated. Thanks all.  <response>: Better start preparing the spare room. Sounds like theres not much you can do if MIL refuses to see her situation as an issue. 