Spending habits among married couples tend to differ. Sometimes one person is a “spender” while the other is a “saver”. It is often a source of conflict. How do you cope with these issues?
Before my husband and I got married we agreed that we would never make a purchase over $50 without discussing it first. I’ll never forget the day I decided to do some yard work and bought a wheel barrow and a new hose. It was over $50 and I didn’t discuss it with him first. Since it wasn’t a personal purchase (cloths,crafts etc.) I didn’t think it counted. My husband, frustrated with assembling the wheel barrow disagreed. Who was right? We never figured that one out…I guess technically he was though I hate to admit it!
Since I am the primary “shopper” for our household, my husband tends to view me as the “spender”. I buy clothes, household items, groceries etc. I use coupons, shop sales and clearance and do my best not to spend too much money. My husband on the other hand rarely makes any purchases. But when he does, they are big ticket items- usually electronics. Of course we always discuss these purchases and while we usually don’t agree on the necessity, in the end he usually gets whatever it is he’s been drooling over. I have to give him credit though. He scopes out the product for weeks, watching sales ads and checking prices online. Then when a good deal comes up he goes ahead and makes the purchase. He follows up by continuing to check prices for the next 90 days or so. Almost everything we have bought recently we have been able to get a partial refund on with Best Buy’s Price Match. Make sure to know your store’s policies and SAVE YOUR RECEIPTS!
How does YOUR family deal with differing spending habits?