Just for fun, I made up this graphic illustration of how Josh and I see money differently. This idea popped into my head as I was sitting down and figuring out our family budget. I stared at the screen and picked up my phone.
“Um, Josh? So….I think I’m gonna have to cut you off from fun money for the rest of the month…”
Josh: ”Why? How much did I spend?”
Me: “Well….let’s just say it was quite a bit more than I spent…”
Josh: “Yeah, but my fun money feeds us. And protects us.”
Then we started talking about the delicious trout and venison, and he had a point! But still – is it just us, or is your marriage the same way?
Josh is able to justify his fun money, and I just cannot justify mine. What, those yoga pants make me feel more relaxed, and a more relaxed mom makes for a happier home. So really, an increase in clothing budget means an increase in overall home happiness!
Doesn’t work.
But fishing – memories with the kids, food! Menards – memories with the kids, tools for building my basement addition! *cough cough JOSH* So the more he spends on fun, the more memories the kids make with daddy, and the more food we eat and the closer my basement gets to completion.
Ok, that last one – the basement – is a joke. But a good try, Josh.
I just don’t feel like what I enjoy spending money on for myself – salon, clothes, Starbucks – benefits the family in any way like Josh thinks his does. Wait, Starbucks is what keeps me awake, so it is imperative to the health of my children. But the salon and clothes and eating out? Notsomuch.
So that is how it goes down here. Is it the same for you and your spouse? Does one of you have an easier time justifying purchases than the other?
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This is going to kick my butt when I get married…I love having full freedom of my money and how I spend it
That’s what our budget is for: to have it all down so we know where it goes.
My husband is much better at keeping his wallet close and not spending.
It is so funny and interesting to me how different people are when they get married. But isn’t it great to have that opposite to balance/keep everything in check?
Well, I just don’t spend money on myself. Anything I spend money on, it’s furthering the family. So, I guess in other words, me spending my money just helps him not spend so much money.
I think the only piece of clothing I have purchased for myself in the last 8 years was a Enell sports bra last year. I needed it for all my working out – and I only got one.
Hahahahaha!
See? you are so totally like me! And Josh is my opposite. If I spend money on myself, I have to justify it somehow – how will this help the family? He justifies it too….but only after I ask him about it LOL!!
I’m a saver and my husband is a spender. We kinda balance each other out.
Too funny, my husband and I are focused on paying our bills there isn’t a lot of extra money now.
Oh yes, my husband and I are exact opposites when it comes to money. I think it’s how we were brought up. No more arguing though. I take care of most of the money and always have a lot in savings.
Very, very smart!! Having a budget and just spending what you allow saves so many arguments. We haven’t had time to budget lately….but when we do? It helps save us a TON of grief
I’ve been married 25 years, yes, my hubby says his budgeted spending money goes towards the household. We have discussed this many years and I never understand his reasoning. Must be a guy thing, lol
oh how funny Betsy! Thank you for sharing that
So you are saying they never change? LOL!!
Yea – our budget looks VERY similar to yours. When I win a gift card that can’t be spent on anything for anyone else, I spend THAT on myself.
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