Ask:
In another thread it was brought up the importance of having everyone in the family on board with saving more. What does your spouse or kids do to undermine your frugal efforts?
Answer:
Dh and his computer stuff- need I say more?
Answer:
Dh has gotten better, but he used to be REALLY bad about buying drinks and junky snacks at gas stations on his way to and from work. I resorted to making him a deal that I would keep things like homemade muffins, bananas, apples, and the like on hand at home so he could take them in the morning and either eat them right away or save them for the ride home. I also keep a box of sinful treats for days when he wants to be really bad...things like hostess cupcakes, poptarts, or doughnuts. He also has a squeeze bottle that I keep filled up in the fridge with his favorite drinks so he can just grab it and go in the morning.
He has improved greatly, but if he falls off the wagon he can use his "spend on whatever he wants, no questions asked" money that he gets at the beginning of every month.
He also is notorious for leaving a trail of lights on as he goes through the house...like he can't find his way back to the living room in the dark
Other than that, he is very supportive and will go along with just about anything.
Answer:
0h my goodness I could go on and on! My dh is horrible and not supportive at all of frugality! He wastes money at the gas station on junk, he eats lunches out, he buys sodas at venders instead of taking one from home. He joined a computer game and didn't tell me it was a monthly fee of $15. He went and bought a car last year without telling me first and the payments were $200 more a month than I told him the limit. I'll stop there. He has the I want it right now so I'm going to buy it attitude. He's lucky he has me balancing him out! But it did lead to alot of built up resentment on my part b/c I was going without while he splurged. We are doing alot better now but he still has a way to go. I want him to start the cash system and leave his check card at home but he refuses.
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Where ever do I begin. First of all I am a SAHM so yes this is his paycheck as he informs me. He insists on buying every single movie that is released at $20 a pop. I have found a place to get them for $12.95 usually the next day after release. Sometimes I can make him wait. He likes to eat out at the expensive places--he only gets off though every 2 weeks so its not real often. He buys loads from the convenient store. Smokes and dips!!!! And he can't do the cheap stuff. His XBox games are 60. bucks a piece. He doesn't like price matching and hates when I do it or use coupons and he buys name brand!!!
Answer:
My DH used to be bad about getting things at gas stations too. Once I started showing him how fast it adds up and how much it costs us he got a lot better. Now he only does it once in a while. I also stocked up things at home and for his desk at work. Sometimes he'll go out to lunch or buy a movie without asking how we're doing that week, but I let it go. Sure it may mess up my budget if I've already commited our money for misc. things, but in the big scheme of things it doesn't hurt much. I also try to give him a heads up if I know we're going to be tight. That way it prevents most of it.
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Every trip to Lowes or Home Depot is at least $100.
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My dh is the worst. He loves to buy electronics. He's always buying cds (used) and is never happy with what he has. Neither one of us grew up poor, but I was definitely taught the value of a dollar while he is like "you only live once". I posted in another thread about how we used his bonus, and it was a real struggle coming to an agreement with him. He did buy some electronic stuff and I have to say he works really hard and has a lot of stress so I didn't think is was far not to let him spend some just on himself, but he is just never happy with what he has and always wants more. It's been a real struggle.
Answer:
Well my kids are too young yet to undermine my frugality. So dh is the one I am going to "bash" I guess to say it nicely.
He leaves lights on when he is the last one out the door. I will come home and like 2 or 3 lights will be on all day!
He never eats what I make for dinner. So I always have shelves full of cereal and peanut butter and jelly. So he will come home from work eat a sandwich or cereal and then the kids want to eat one too and I am making dinner and then no one eats dinner with me. So I am eating dinner by myself. I always set a plate for the kids with food but they never eat it all. So therefore I am wasting money on food.
He eats at the gas station all day long. And never asks me how much he can spend for additional things. He will just grab the check book and buy whatever!
Oh and one more if he goes to the grocery store I ask what he is all getting and he says he is not sure. I tell him to take coupons and he won't. He will come home with half of the things that I have coupons for and he will say use them next time! Ughh!
I guess that is enough dh bashing today. I do love him dearly though. He keeps me in line because I am slowly getting out of the way he is still. And he reminds me everyday!
Answer:
I guess I am lucky since dhs worst bad habit is turning off lights! If he had his way we would eat out more but he gave up on that one.