<prompt> Human: My debt situation is about 35k and has stayed near this number since I graduated. A hill of beans next to what some people post on this sub, but my fiance and I make little money. She made 20k last year and I made 26k.She had a couple windfalls since graduating that have erased almost all of her debt, which is great, but I have not. I dont know how Ive done it, but my minimums make me dump just south of 1k into my debt each month, with keeps me from pursuing a snowball strategy because Im struggling just to keep my credit cards away from the ceiling. One more complication is that my job is freelance, so I try to float a couple grand in the bank just in case I have a bad month or two.So my problem. She would probably combine our finances if I asked her, but I have some serious guilt about that. If she was making better money, sure, but I feel terrible about asking her to suffer further austerity because I was dumb enough to go to college on loans. Thanks for reading.Edit:As a constant lurker on rpersonalfinance Im quite familiar with a lot of the general financial advice given, though I appreciate it. I was more looking for how to talk to my fiance and opinions about how joint our finances should become.Edit 2:Ive spoken to my fiance with some of your suggestions in mind, and it was a great conversation. After we get back from the wedding were going to retain separate finances mostly, but get a joint account to cover bills and maybe food, from which well share a debit card.She doesnt care to have a prenup drawn up and says it doesnt feel unfair to her, especially since I make more money and have built or repaired many of our household items. She also expressed that, if she makes more, shed like to start transferring some monthly amount towards some of my debt a la snowball. TLDR: Today I learned that communication is key. Thanks guys!Assistant: I dont know how Ive done it, but my minimums make me dump just south of 1k into my debt each month, with keeps me from pursuing a snowball strategy because Im struggling just to keep my credit cards away from the ceiling. Sounds to me like you are still using the credit cards too. STOP.Human: This is something Ive contemplated doing in the past, but it seems so impractical. Like, cash seems obsolete... Does this include no debit card? Is there some sort of guide or resource you could point me to? I literally dont know how I would accomplish this.  <response>: If you only use credit cards responsibly, theres no need to get rid of them. As in, if you use them for things youd buy with cash anyway, and then pay them in full when the statement comes.As for the main question, Id say talk to her, be really open, and decide on what works for you together. You can be a team and be happy with joint or separated finances, and this might even change during your life together. What stays the same is communication. Best of luck to you guys. 