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Home > A Little Rant about Spending Differences

A Little Rant about Spending Differences

April 30th, 2014 at 09:22 pm

My husband is not a big spender, but he's not all OCD about spending like I am. I think it's possible that he's normal, and I'm a little too frugal. I don't know.

Sometimes, though, the difference in our spending habits makes me feel a little bit frustrated.

Today I got home from teaching at the gym (I thought for certain I'd get this month's payment today, but I didn't, so I was pre-frustrated; this payment goes toward our mortgage). I was starving because I'd just taught weightlifting; there was pretty much nothing in the house to eat, but I cobbled together a salad (when you lift weights, you really feel like more than salad, but I put a little turkey on it).

Then I sat down to do the monthly financials. Today, my husband charged lunch out (which he does once a week; I never eat lunch out unless it's a family lunch, but that's my choice). And he'd charged $90 for two shirts. (I think I've mentioned I haven't bought any clothes this year after determining I have enough clothes). He said it was from the birthday money his dad sent from the UK, but I have no record of the birthday money being deposited, so he might have put it into his business account.

Then I ate a little bit of ice cream from the freezer, because I told F that I'd take her for a treat after school, and I don't want to spend money on a treat for me, too.

I know you're all going to say I have to do something for myself once in a while, and I do, I promise! Like two weeks ago I took F down to Albuquerque and we had lunch, played mini-golf and got slushes from Sonic. I'm not feeling sorry for myself; it's not that. It's more that I'm wishing that everyone was as into sacrificing as I was. And I seriously can't ask for that, so what happens is, I do less for myself to offset everyone else's spending.

OK, rant over.

I think that we did well this month despite some of those extra expenses. I know grocery spending was low. And D made some side money (I really shouldn't complain about him buying stuff once in a while since he often makes extra).

4 Responses to “A Little Rant about Spending Differences”

  1. CB in the City Says:
    1398890675

    It doesn't sound to me like hubby's spending is out of line. I wouldn't stress it. You are choosing to be more frugal than he is, but likewise, he has the choice to be less frugal than you are (if it's not hurting the bottom line!)

  2. Buendia Says:
    1398896360

    You are definitely correct, and I know it. I am very lucky to have him, and he says he's lucky to have me watching our spending and finding ways to save. Since we're both feeling lucky to have each other, I won't stress it!

  3. Permanent Temp Says:
    1398897691

    This is why my husband and I don't have combined expenses. It just wouldn't be pretty. I think $90 on two shirts is a lot to spend and like you I haven't bought myself new clothes in a while though that's mainly due to my yo-yo weight issues. My husband has easily spent over 2K on clothes for himself in the past 12 months.

    He is in less debt that me over all but it can be rough at times. He has taught me though to be nicer to myself as I don't allow myself to have much being in debt with an ever changing job situation.

    I started saving money towards goals for thing that I want instead of always depriving myself. That has helped a lot. Maybe you could make a fund just for you and dip into it when you want something? I am afraid I'll never dip into mine lol. I was mad about dipping into my gift fund and that's what it is for is to buy gifts!!

  4. creditcardfree Says:
    1398958504

    You relationship and patterns you described are similar here. My DH rarely buys anything, but we he does he doesn't think twice about it. Last weekend I was out of town for one day and he spent over $100, including dinner out with the girls, lawn bags (needed), a new extension cord (maybe needed) and fertilizer for our trees (which we already had). There wasn't a discussion about it, so it irritated me, but in the end we have the money and it isn't unreasonable.

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