Money has a funny way of complicating even the most genuine relationships. So when is the right time to tell someone you love that you’re rich?
This 23-year-old girl got hit by a truck, which resulted in memory loss, a traumatic brain injury, and her becoming a millionaire due to the settlement money she received.
While she was still recovering, she reached out to a 25-year-old guy whom she had dated nine years ago, and she says this happened because of her confusion and loss of memory.
This guy thought she was joking when she contacted him, since it had been so long since they had last spoken, and she has an interesting brand of humor.
However, he came to visit her frequently while she was still in the hospital, and they reconnected. They then began dating, and they’ve been going strong for a year.
She’s happy being with him, and she’s not trying to race down the aisle, but she is starting to consider the future and if she might end up with him.
“But if you saw his family dynamics and the way he treats me, you’d assume I’m probably going to marry this guy at some point, too,” she explained.
“The part that I’m worried about is, I’m hiding what feels like a big part of my identity. I received a large settlement shortly after the accident since it was a company construction truck that hit me. My lawyer told me not to tell anyone, so I did exactly that – I didn’t tell anyone.”
“To this day, I haven’t worked in over a year due to my injuries. I just bought a car outright, and I’m living alone. My boyfriend is probably under the impression that I’m…broke. Of course, I know that I have money, and I still pitch in on our dates and treat him well. I don’t let him or ask him to cover EVERYTHING, that would just feel malicious.”
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She’s thought a lot about protecting herself and her assets, and so she knows a prenup is a nonnegotiable for her. Additionally, her settlement money has been invested and is on track to be a million dollars when she estimates she will get married.
She’s not sure how to break the news to her boyfriend that she’s a millionaire. She’s worried that he will either feel comforted or hoodwinked over the secret she’s keeping.
She’s also concerned that her boyfriend could call off their future wedding once he finds out she’s been sitting on a ton of cash, since she wasn’t forthcoming about it.
I think she should wait until she does have an engagement ring, and then tell him about the money while disclosing that her lawyer wisely suggested she keep it a secret.
If he’s understanding, she at least will know she found a good one. If he acts in an adverse way, that will tell her everything she needs to know about his true nature.
And while a million dollars sounds like a ton of money, she’s only 23 and can’t work due to her injury, so she definitely shouldn’t ever share it with her boyfriend, since she will need that to support herself for the remainder of her life.
What advice do you have for her?
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By Bre Avery Zacharski
Hi, I'm Bre, Chip Chick's CEO! I have a degree in Textile/Surface Design from The Fashion Institute of Technology, and... More about Bre Avery Zacharski
