My partner and I are facing difficulties with our career and financial choices and would appreciate any guidance on how to proceed.
My spouse and I were once both employed. While our life wasn't terrible, it fell short of our dreams and aspirations—my spouse particularly despises being an employee and has always yearned to be their own boss. Driven by our desire to immigrate, we decided to leave our jobs, but that decision has thrown us into a prolonged period of uncertainty. Nearly two years have passed without any resolution to our immigration situation, and although we are still trying, our optimism is waning. During this challenging time, my spouse unfortunately lost a large part of our savings due to gambling. I aimed to be supportive, understanding that their intentions weren't malicious—they just wished to resolve our difficulties. Later, they developed an interest in financial markets, an area that aligns with my background in economics, so I tried to encourage them. However, as you know, financial markets are inherently risky. Despite their best efforts, they continued to make mistakes, further depleting our savings. Now, we are nearly out of additional funds and facing a critical juncture. I find myself at a loss regarding what to do next. Should I keep supporting my spouse's interest in the market, given their passion and aversion to traditional employment? Or should I suggest they abandon this pursuit and return to a steady job, even if it means starting over with a modest income? And how do I approach the issue of our lost savings, which will likely take years to recover?