For years, I’ve been faithfully saving for a rhinoplasty. This wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision; it was a long-awaited goal tied to my personal well-being. I finally reached my financial target, only to have a new family need arise: my teenage stepdaughter needs braces.

My husband has given me two choices: I can either contribute to the cost of her braces or keep the money for my own procedure. While I appreciate that he’s left it up to me to decide, this situation has created immense internal conflict. The money I saved was for a personal dream I’ve worked hard to achieve, and I feel like that dream is now being unfairly weighed against a family obligation.

My husband’s ex-wife got involved and she has argued that my stepdaughter’s braces are a health necessity, while my nose job is merely a cosmetic luxury. She’s pressuring me, saying that my financial responsibility and ability to help obligate me to contribute.

Dealing with this has been hard. The stress is affecting my marriage. My husband has become emotionally distant, and the unspoken tension between us is growing. I understand that my stepdaughter’s dental health is important, but I also feel like my own desires and years of saving are being disregarded.

I’m hoping to get some advice on navigating this situation without destroying my family