No one should rush into marriage if they aren't sure that this is "the one". If that is at all the issue, I would wait and maybe try the 1 year to secure yourself plan. But being appart for that long takes a toll and the odds of it working out is slim.
On the other hand, if money is the main reason for worry... wanting to create a stable, secure environment for her, you may be putting pressure on yourself that doesn't need to be there. TRUE love exists even during the hard times. If she marries you and things fall through with your career, it will simply be something that both of you live through. She can always work; there's no real reason that there being two of you would drain you financially as opposed to being single (unless maybe she lives with her parents and doesn't plan to work once married?)
Are you affraid she will be unhappy or disappointed if things aren't comfortable?
I know this girl (who was living with and financially dependent on her boyfriend) that told him she planned to move out. In remaining time, he went out and got all the comforts that you could imagine. He upgraded from dial-up to DSL. He bought excersise equipment and a nice computer. He bought a wave-runner. He talked of buying a sport's car. I suspect that he was trying to get her really comfortable so that when she moved out on her own and she couldn't afford those comforts that it would be that much more tempting for her to remember his place as a "better life" and fun and be more likely to come back to him.
Anyway, I say all that to ask... do you worry about that sort of dynamic? Where if things weren't nice that she might become unhappy and see living with you as a down-grade as opposed to her life with her parents? I guess I'm trying to get yourself to ask why the financial stability is so important to you. Is it because of her or you?
