"I believe in Mr. Arc"— 90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days’ Niles on meeting Matilda's family

In a recent episode of 90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days, tensions flared as Niles faced the dual challenge of meeting Matilda’s family while grappling with financial and cultural hurdles.

As the episode progressed, things took a rocky turn during the bride price negotiation—a key tradition in Matilda's culture—which revealed not only Niles’ precarious financial state but also his limited understanding of the customs involved. Despite his growing unease, Niles leaned on the guidance of family friend Mr. Arc, saying:

"I believe in Mr. Arc to do the negotiations for me."

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Niles and Matilda's cultural and financial struggles on 90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days

Niles and Matilda’s bride price negotiation

In 90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days, Niles and Matilda hoped to finalize their wedding plans before Niles returned to the United States. However, cultural expectations, particularly the bride price, posed a significant challenge. Niles expressed his concerns, stating:

"Since I did not plan to pay for a wedding on this trip, I really, really hope Mr. Arc understands that I’m not a rich man."

The bride price, a customary practice in Matilda’s culture, involved presenting items such as fabric, drinks, and clothing alongside a monetary amount. Niles shared his thoughts about this custom, saying:

"It feels strange to me, to place a dollar amount on Matilda. It makes you feel like I'm purchasing a bride."

In their case, the amount was set at 4,700 Ghanaian cedis, roughly $400. While this may seem modest, Niles admitted his financial struggles:

“Honestly, perhaps Mr. Arc could have worked them down a little lower. Given how much I’ve spent on this trip, that might be tough to come by.”

Ultimately, Niles and the family both agreed to do the knocking ceremony and wedding on the same day.

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Financial struggles come to light on cultural mediation

Behind the scenes on 90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days, Niles revealed his precarious financial situation. He had only $109 left in his bank account and was grappling with the unexpected loss of his job in the United States. Despite his optimism about building a future with Matilda, he worried about being honest about his financial challenges.

During a conversation with Matilda, he finally opened up, admitting his difficulties and saying:

“I know that I’m going to have to come clean. But the thought of facing Matilda and her family with another disappointment is too much to handle.”

As Matilda explained, family approval was essential for the marriage to proceed, particularly since her father had passed away, leaving her uncle responsible for overseeing family matters. Although Niles expressed confidence in Mr. Arc's ability to handle the situation, he also acknowledged his discomfort, stating:

“Not understanding a word that’s being said makes me a little uneasy.”

Despite his concerns, Niles chose to move forward with the plans, motivated by his commitment to Matilda. In the end, he relied on Mr. Arc to navigate the cultural traditions and financial constraints, hoping for a positive outcome.

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For Niles and Matilda, their relationship has been tested by cultural differences, financial difficulties, and family expectations. Whether Niles’ trust in Mr. Arc and his dedication to Matilda can overcome these challenges remains to be seen on 90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days.

Tune in to 90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days, airing Sundays at 8/7c on TLC, for all the drama and emotional moments.