PFA: Whatever your plans, you have a huge debt burden. Managing it is your number-one priority. It has to be managed in a way that allows you to return to a normal situation in the shortest possible time, so you may need to adjust some of your other plans.

As you have recognised elsewhere in your email, all is not lost.

I see positives in your situation. You now have a job, so there is a flow of income; you and your fiancée are already practising how to work as a team, particularly in the area of finance; and, you are open.

I am concerned about the high level of your debt; it is seven times your monthly income and you have not said if it is gross income or net.

If it is gross, your options are more limited. Omit the "possible gratuity" from your calculations. Save that if it materialises.

More than half of your debt is expensive credit-card debt. The key to achieving financial stability is the elimination of that debt.

Otherwise, you could spend much of your time paying interest while the principal falls only marginally. You must reduce that debt as fast as you can.

COMMITMENTS

If you do, you may enter into your commitment to 'until death do us part' with more manageable debt.

It is good that you are saving for your wedding while reducing your debt. A big celebration is a not a prerequisite for a happy marriage.

If you two must get married soon, consider a small wedding.

Avoid creating additional debt to fund it and have a portion of your salary sent directly to an account each month.

Meanwhile, work on improving your spending habits. You know the value of a budget. If you cast one and use it wisely, you should see some improvement in your situation over time, but not without serious belt-tightening on your part.

Elsewhere in your email, you mentioned that you want to know about investing in the stock market, that you are going into business with your uncle, for which he is providing the funding, and that you and your uncle are considering going into business with a foreign partner.

The Internet is a useful resource for information on the stock market. The local stock exchange and stockbrokers can also assist.

stocks a risky business

Be warned though that investing in stocks is risky business and that you should not invest what you cannot afford to lose.

In those ventures with your uncle, what are you contributing? You also mention that you intend to see how much help the Government will give you with capital. If you are going into business, the onus is on you to fund it either with your own funds or with borrowed funds.

Don't depend on others to fund your business.

Take your time. Concentrate on what is manageable.

Oran A. Hall offers free counsel on money management. Email: finviser.jm@gmail.com