I am in tears as I write this

Scott,

I am in tears as I write this. I'm 43 and a qualified nurse. My husband is a lawyer. We own our home and two investment properties. We are asset rich, cash poor, mortgaged to the hilt. I need dental treatment. Implants are just the start. It will cost upward of $30,000. I'm a nurse, and I fully understand the impact bad teeth have on your health. Not to mention embarrassing, and at times painful. I've put my kids first and my health last. So here I am. 

The investment properties cover their own costs, but that's it. Both have gone up significantly in value, but the bank won't let us refinance. We don't want to sell either. We'd lose half in capital gains. Our primary mortgage is $7,000 a month. Childcare $3,000. We don't have fancy cars. I shop at Kmart. There's nothing left. So do I dip into my super (I have $416K)? Fly to Thailand? What should I do? Don’t just say ‘nothing’.

Sue

Hey Sue,

Seems like you’ve spent your entire adult life dismissing yourself and your needs — so I sure as hell ain’t going to do that. You’re not talking about getting flashy veneers for Instagram, but treating a genuine health concern that will have real ramifications for you as you get older.

Stop asking for permission. You’re a grown woman. There is no question you need to get this done — the only question is how to pay for it sensibly. And sensibly rules out super. Taking $30k today could easily be $200k at retirement.

So that’s a hard no.

What about flying to Thailand? 

If I were in your shoes I wouldn’t do it. Yes it may be cheaper, but if something fails, fixing it here could end up costing more than doing it locally.

Let me pick at something you wrote:

“I've put my kids first and my health last. So here I am.”

Here you are.

What lesson are you teaching your kids … that money is more important than your health?

Sue, it’s time for a little drilling: you’re a professional couple with over a million dollars in assets, but you can’t pay for your health?

If I were in your situation I’d sell one of your investment properties.

Pay the damn capital gains.

Pay for the dental work.

Maybe give yourself some breathing room so you don’t feel so stressed all the time.

Smile.

You deserve it.