A slight diversion

BobProperty

Re-read "The Millionaire Next Door" recently and noted that one of the traits of such people, or rather couples, was that the main earner (usually the husband but not always), earned reasonably well but, more importantly, lived below their means. (to use the American Football analogy in the book, has a "good offence") Also, importantly, their other half was equally, if not more so, frugal in their habits. (has a "good defence"). The example in the book I think was a woman who had just been given $8m, on paper, of stock in her husband's company. What was she doing? Cutting grocery coupons for 25c and 50c out of the local paper for when she went shopping.
What am I getting at? I notice that a number of posters, including myself, have had problems in the past with "differences of opinion" with our other halves over financial matters. Some posters no longer have other halves. Given that one of the major components in a sucessful relationship is compatibility of one's approach to financial matters, and that we are all on here learning to be as money saving as possible, there remains only one question. Where's the dating forum?

tango

:rotfl: very true,things would be alot easier if we both thought the same way regards money

roswell

I think this could very dangerouse .... 2 money savers fighting over which is the best money saving options ...... one can only imagen

CLAPTON

just brilliant

Jillinoz

I've had some cheap dates in my time, but that idea is pure class! 8p Valentine's card from Asda anyone?

Miffi_2

I'm lucky because my other half is great with money, it is me who is the problem. So I know that at least when my debt is cleared, it should hopefully be easy to stay on track and in fact he will be the driving force to save money.

I'm lucky I guess, it's me who has the problem with spending not him!

moozie_2

I agree with you completely. For those of us in a relationship, it is fundamental for both partners to be fully committed to the 'cause'. Otherwise, one could be innocently subotaging the efforts of the other!

I was very concerned before I talked to my OH about mine/our finances. We had talked before and we had always ended up arguing and not understnading each other. Now that we are fully on board with where we are going with finances, it's so much easier. Working as a team is tremendous help and I know I wouldn't have been making as much progress as I am if I were fighting my debts, my spending habits and him at the same time.

Great post, thank you for the food for thought!

angeldiva

Hilarious...I really liked that post!

fairylights_2

:rotfl: :T

I have to say, I think wading our way out of debt could have destroyed our relationship completely ... it's been really good for us to learn to work together when we're not in the same place. I think it's hard for OH because he's the earner and I make a bit of money, but he pretty much keeps us afloat - and his stress came from the fact he didn't want to admit that so everything went onto the ccs instead. That said, we're the opposite. He's the spender, I'm the miser ... good then that I hold the budget strings!!!

buglawton

Recents stats showed that women make the vast majority of purchasing and expenditure decisions. Perhaps this harks back the the old idea of home-maker making such decisions.

Therefore, in any average couple if the woman has the money-saving attitude, the couple has the better chance financially!

Ref:
"WOMEN: (1999) Women make 80%+ of the consumer spending decisions in the U.S."
http://www.efmoody.com/women2.html

Roxie

BobProperty wrote:

Where's the dating forum?

:rotfl::rotfl: I assume by that comment you haven't discovered the Money Savers Arms....... enter at your own risk. :eek: I've been here since July and think have only dared venture in there half a dozen times.