Spending Spouses

[jimmalru80]

DW and I are on the same page as far as spending goes. Nothing over the top and certainly not "cheap"; we have a middle of the road philosophy.

 

[tkd lisa]

My ex was the big spender. We were blessed to have a good income, but STILL! I handled it by saying "no" a lot. And having him put it on his Christmas/birthday list. He had expensive tastes (I was just talking about the DeWalt cordless drill with extra power pack for $250 that he got one year for Christmas), and you couldn't subsitute anything. Only the best would do.

When we separated, I cancelled the credit cards AFTER he spent $6400 in 3 days! Obviously he had a problem.

Let's put it this way, my take home income is about 60% of what it was when I was married, and my standard of living is almost the same (although I don't eat out as much).

 

[leighe]

I'm the spender in our family! We just kind of have it built into our budget. As long as I don't go over a certain amount every month DH doesn't get too bent out of shape.

Dressing a daughter is just the most fun!

 

[oxfordcircus]

My wife and I were both spenders, neither of us wants to tell the other 'no'. That's a very bad combination. We are hoping Dave Ramsey will show us the way out.

 

[grinningghost]

Anyone married to a spender? How do you deal with it?

My husband is constantly wanting. Computer gadgets, hunting gear, this or that gizmo. I'm fed up. He actually spent $135.00 at Blockbuster the other day buying movies he's never seen and pokemon cards for the kids.

Are we married to the same guy?

My husband is horrible with spending. Horrible. I love him dearly, and he usually later admits he's spent too much, but I wish he could learn to stop doing it.

He can't ever be happy with something. The minute a newer computer thing comes out, suddenly our computer is "so slow". It ISN'T slow. It's fine, but he just wants faster, faster, faster - how fast can you possibly get?????

Hunting equipment - yep. Always more of that junk. Gets his truck washed a couple times a week - I haven't washed my car all winter and it's still moving.

He loves to spend and then he wonders why we're broke - because the minimum on the credit card is so high right now, with nothing really to show for it - drives me to drink.

 

[floridafam]

I would say that neither of us is a spender. We always discuss big purchases. DH likes nice things but won't buy them unless we have talked about it. Usually, around Christmas time we will both blow a few hundred dollars on something for ourselves.

I saved all year so I could surprise Dh with a new triathlon bike at Christmas time. I've been wanting a Coach purse for a while and Dh asked me the other day "do you really need a $300 purse?" I opened the garage door and pointed to his bike and said yes. I actually got kinda upset with him because he just doesn't get it sometimes.

Anywho, I don't call him if I'm at TJ Maxx or something and spend $100.

Have you discussed the spending before? How much is it bothering you?