So my husband got home from a 4 day trip to see some family and run an ultra marathon in NC last night. Before he left we were about to kill each other over the budget. Let's go over a typical budget conversation prior to his departure:
Him: "I think we should give up more than just cell phones."
Me: "Well you could give up your $90 a month running coach, your $80 a month mandolin lessons, and I could give up my $40 a month violin lessons."
Him: "Oh sure... (insert attitude here)... it's a waste of money for you to take violin anyway since you never practice! I actually use and enjoy my hobbies."
Me (angry): "Well my hobbies don't cost us $170 a month!!"
Him: "At least the money I spend is being put to a good use!!"
Me: "Yeah getting you out of the house for an hour every other week while you go to your mandolin lesson is worth the $80 for me!!!!!!"
You see what's happening? We can't have a conversation without turning on each other. So today when I asked him. "Did you eat the lunch I packed you?" (knowing full well he didn't or else the dish would have been waiting to be washed in the sink) He answered. "No. But I will tomorrow." I quietly left the room to go and vent to my blog.
Having gotten all of that out, I feel much better. What I am pissed about isn't the lunch though... it is that he has been eating out for 4 days and then chooses to eat out again RIGHT after he gets home. (calming breath...)
It just isn't worth fighting over or at least not yet. I am going to bide my time... and then perhaps use all his extra spending against him during our February budget meeting! (evil laugh) Muahahahaha! Sadly, I wish I was joking.
The truth is budgeting is hard. For one person it is hard but for two completely different people it is damn near impossible. I have been semi-budgeting since April 2008. Yes I can remember the exact day I started a budget. This is the very first time my husband has been involved in the finances at all and I should be thrilled that he finally came around. I guess instead of fighting about the spending and holding it over his head, I will celebrate how great he has done this month. And just maybe... the encouragement will fuel him to do even better next month.
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