DH is not a numbers guy. Plainly put he just does not care about personal finances. Case in point, I was showing him last months CC statement. He couldn't figure out why we owed them money because LAST month's payment was on THIS statement. To him, it meant we already paid THIS month's statement and we shouldn't owe them anything. I couldn't make him understand that the payment was on there because the statment shows ALL activity to the account, including payments. He just didn't get it! He's not stupid, by any means, but "money stuff" just baffles him.
So, our 1 year wedding aniversary was yesterday, and for the past 12 months I've been hitting him in the head with a 2x4 trying to get him to understand that getting rid of our credit card debt is going to give us many, many more options in life. He keeps asking where all the money goes and I keep telling him, and he just doesn't get it. At least until now.
My last post I said that if he didn't get his spending act together, I was going to take away his card with the really high limit and give him back his old one with the $700 limit. With what he spends on gas for his commute to work, he wouldn't have much left over to blow on "fun stuff". Yesterday he voluntarily gave up the high limmit card. He said he just gets too tempted with stuff we don't need, or don't need right this moment. If he legitimatly needs to spend more than his limit (like for the remodeling we're doing), I'll just go with him to Home Depot or wherever and put it on my card.
He still doesn't get where the money goes (I keep telling him but he doesn't listen, or maybe it's just selective hearing...) but I seem to be making some progress, at least!
And it's not all DH, lately I've been having more trouble too. I do need new work clothes, but I spent more money than stictly nessesary, and I've been bad about eating out lately too. But the marjority of the overspending is coming from his end and with this change, I hope we'll be back on track.
Speaking of eating out, we went out last night for our aniversary (and it will be our last outing this month, and maybe even for next month, too!) and had a very nice time!
I think DH is starting to figure it out...
October 16th, 2006 at 03:55 pm
October 16th, 2006 at 04:00 pm 1161014436
October 16th, 2006 at 05:21 pm 1161019280
October 16th, 2006 at 05:53 pm 1161021215
October 16th, 2006 at 07:05 pm 1161025556
Yay for DH for realizing he's spending on "wants" and giving up the card!
October 16th, 2006 at 07:16 pm 1161026172
October 16th, 2006 at 07:44 pm 1161027890
Happy anniversary!
October 16th, 2006 at 08:03 pm 1161029029
That's just his way of showing why he needs you, and how lost he'd be lost without you.
October 16th, 2006 at 09:53 pm 1161035636
Can I send you my husband so you can hit him with your 2x4??
October 17th, 2006 at 03:06 am 1161054368
October 17th, 2006 at 02:19 pm 1161094751
Thanks for the well wishes, everyone!