“Mrs. Belrix, what would you do with an extra $5000?”
“Pay off the car.”
“Ta-da!”
How about cashing the check, and hiding it in your closet/workbench/wherever…
but…
in an envelope marked “Romantic Weekend Fund”?
So if she finds it, her first reaction is to say is “Awww…” instead of Arrrrr!"
Oh, maybe you need to mark that envelope “Romantic Weekend for me ‘n’ Mrs. Belrix” Fund… just so’s there be no question who’s going away on that weekend.
Yeah, that’s probably a good idea.
Ha HA! I have used THREE smileys in this post!
Its fascinating that you don’t care what your partner does with his money and don’t think its any of your business, but how I handle mine makes you “freak out” and you think its your business to comment on it.
I can’t believe I used the same word four times. I think must like surprises? I need a nap… :smack:
That’s the best way to do them! Last year, my earned income was $10010011101100110. That looks pretty damn snazzy on the 'ol 10000010000 form, believe you me!
I think we might have the same coworker…
Steady now. Maybe read post 40 and get back to me. I did come back to clarify because I realised it might sound critical, and it wasn’t intended to be. But, well, this is a message board. People have discussions. I would apologise for offering an opinion, or taking part in the sharing of anecdotes, but I kind of think I’m allowed to. Incidentally, there are a lot of people taking part in this thread, and four posts in between yours and mine. What made you think I was commenting specifically on your arrangements?
I didn’t think you were. And I really did mean the word “fascinating” not “offended.” Because it is fascinating to me that you don’t think your husband’s use of his money to be any of your business, but find the financial arrangements of strangers to be worth commenting on.
Well, it’s a discussion, so I decided to take part! There seemed to be a preponderance of people telling the OP that he had to account for every penny to his wife, so I thought I would mention that actually though people are in a relationship, not all of them feel that they have to be completely interdependent financially to that extent. I can’t imagine having to account for every penny I earned and how I spent it. I personally would, and do, love to be surprised with holidays, trips, gifts, meals out, tickets for plays etc. That wouldn’t be possible if my partner felt unable to spend any of the money I didn’t earn without asking me.
If we need to have a financial discussion, or if there’s a big bill that isn’t part of the usual household expenses, then we deal with that and it’s fine. How much we earn isn’t a secret, I just can’t remember. I can’t remember exactly how much I earn, let alone remember both. Bank statements, credit card bills etc are left lying about openly. There aren’t any secrets. It’s not “not my business” in a “keep your beak out of this!” way. It’s just that I don’t care enough about it to make it part of what I keep in my head. I certainly wouldn’t take on my partner’s financial affairs in addition to my own: that would be dull, and also, we’re both adults who can manage for ourselves. If either of us wasn’t fulfilling our obligations, it would be time for a rethink maybe, but in that instance it wouldn’t just be the money that was the problem; to me, not paying your way shows a lack of respect for the other person, assuming you’re capable of contributing. I’d be worried about my relationship if that became the case.
So… there you go. I contributed because I felt I had something to say that wasn’t the same as what other people were saying, and may help the OP to make his decision.