Perna, you and I simul-posted. I haven't read yours yet. Let me read it over, and I'll get back to you.

ETA, I especially love your last line about how the bills won't go anywhere if he thinks and talks about something else for a while. Of course he should worry enough to work for his wages and pay them, but he doesn't have to obsess about them to do that.

Maybe I can join in the discussion for as long as it takes to get all the information he wants to convey, then guide the subject to something else?