A US couple has left people in shock after admitting that they've managed to land themselves in just under $1 million in debt.
Of course, it's not uncommon for American citizens to rack up thousands of dollars of debt between mortgages, student loans, and car loans - but $1 million is pretty outrageous.
One half of the couple laid out all the details on a 2019 episode of a money podcast called The Ramsey Show, asking if there's any way they can get themselves out of this hole without declaring bankruptcy.
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And host Dave Ramsey was almost left speechless when the caller explained how they managed to get to this point, even though they both make an above-average salary.
"We have probably just under $1 million in debt and we want to know how to get debt free without filing bankruptcy," the caller told Dave.
She then went on to explain that $210,000 of that comes from their mortgage, $335,000 comes from their student loans, and the rest is all down to personal loans and credit card debt.
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"About $136,000 in credit cards, $44,000 in personal loans and $35,000 in car loans," she added.
For context, the caller explained that she's 29 and her partner is 32, both of them have advanced degrees, and work for the government with a joint income of $230,000.
So it wasn't surprising when Dave asked the caller: "Is it both of you that have completely lost your minds?"
She told him: "Well, I have the majority of the student loans and he has the majority of the credit cards."
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When asked how her partner managed to run up $100,000 in credit card debt, the caller continued: "I think it's one of those things where we're just making really poor financial decisions and thinking you'll be able to pay it down as you go. And it doesn't happen."
Dave, who was absolutely baffled by the couple's conundrum, asked her: "Is there recognition on both of your parts how absurd the situation is?"
She replied earnestly: "Yes, there is. So I think we're both a bit scared and want to do anything we can to avoid."
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Without holding back, the host told her: "Well you're scared and you should be. You're disgusted and you should be.
"You're in the early stages of being sick and tired and sick and tired and you should be.
"So I'm getting ready to destroy your life as you know it, because your lifestyle is considerably above your extremely good income and has been for a period of time. And so you've gotten used to spending like you're in Congress."
As a possible resolution, Dave gave them a $30,000 budget and said that they'd need to cut down on spending for the next three years.
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When a clip of the show was shared on TikTok two days ago, it didn't take long for it to go viral, with viewers absolutely losing their minds over the couples' financial problem.
"And here I am losing sleep over my $7k in debt!" one user commented.
"I cannot even imagine being in this situation," admitted a second.
"I can't even fathom the amount of interest they're paying on that credit card debt," a third wrote.
And a fourth suggested: "I need a complete documentary on HOW they got $1 million in debt and then a reality show about how they attempt to get out of it."
I have to admit, I'd be all over this.
Ali Condon