If there is a SAH spouse, are finances truly equal?

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:I think there are various issues at play.

-the dynamics of not having your own income
-what you believe is a reasonable cost for a car
-asking your spouse to support in-laws financially

I stay at home and my spouse earns about $800k. He's spendier by nature than I am so there's that. I noticed you said your husband "lets" you do this or that. You also said that *he* got you your $110k car. Did you not pick out your own car? Change the way you tell yourself these stories. Part of being an equal in the partnership is believing it yourself. He doesn't let you spend money; you decide together that it's OK to spend money. He doesn't buy you a car (unless he bought it without your input); you decide together what your budget is, and then you pick out your own car.

My husband has a $70k car. Cars aren't my thing. I have a $32k car. Obviously my husband would support me getting a $70k car if I wanted one, but I don't. So I spend that money on Disney World instead.

As for supporting your parents, I think the disconnect here is that your husband is such a car snob that it seems like he wants your parents to drive trash because he thinks a $25k car is trash. So it doesn't paint your husband in the best light. But objectively speaking, you can get a perfectly serviceable and functional car for $25k. You should figure out if you are also a car snob, or if you are upset by the implied disrespect to your parents.

That said, you should never take it for granted that your spouse will approve giving away your money to relatives. Approach those conversations carefully and with respect. And keep in mind that he didn't say no to a car . . . he just suggested a budget lower than you apparently desire. That might indicate that he is tiring of these expenses. It may not be about the appropriate price for a car so much as it's about the never-ending asks.

One thing that has helped our dynamics is to give both of us the same amount of fun money. Because I would be so cautious and debate whether to spend $200 on a few items of clothing for myself, and then my husband would buy himself multiple pairs of $200 jeans. This way, if I want something that I feel is extravagant, the money is already there. Or I can save it up and donate it or spend it on a trip or whatever. It emboldens me to treat myself, which is a good thing considering that it's never fun to deny yourself and then look over at your spouse merrily spending without a second thought.

You have painted your husband as being rather ungenerous but the fact is that he approves of spending all this money on your inlaws. That may just not be a bottomless check. He may not view it as being stingy with friends; maybe he just doesn't want people to expect him to pay. Or maybe he thinks it's respectful to treat the other person like an equal who can pay their share of the bill, even if they don't earn millions of dollars a year. My gazillionaire uncle doesn't pay for everyone all the time; he doesn't want to create lazy dependents (I'm not saying that elderly people like your parents are lazy at all . . . this is in reference to his grandchildren).

So stop telling yourself that your husband controls the purse strings and lets you do things. If you want a fancy a$$ car, then own it; don't act like your husband twisted your arm. If you DON'T want a fancy a$$ car, then say so. But I still don't understand what is wrong with getting your parents a $30k car. It sounds like you are mad on principle . . . mad that he is a car snob but doesn't extend that to cars he gifts to struggling relatives. But I think it's like if you flew them to Europe with you, but you bought them coach tickets (assuming they weren't frail and uncomfortable in the seats). Yes, for you, flying in coach is unthinkable. But it's what the vast majority of people do. And even coach tickets cost a lot these days. Or let's say you're flying your teens with you. You want the lie flat seats, but do teenagers need them? You are still being generous even if you gift someone something that's not as luxurious as what you would get yourself. It's still a gift, where none was required.

DH put his name down for a Tesla before/during the pandemic. The wait list for the Tesla was so long that he got another car during the wait time. When the delivery time came, he asked if I wanted it. I didn’t really care. My car was getting kind of old. It is 6 years old. He basically got the Tesla for our family and I am driving it. I don’t really care about cars.

We just spent 40k on spring break. We can very easily buy this car for my parents. DH is expecting a very large influx of money next month and this is before his new bump in compensation. We also have other investments that should have a multi million dollar return. I guess we do talk about money. We just don’t talk about spending it. I usually just do whatever I want as long as it is for the kids and me and not others.

It sounds like your high income has allowed you to avoid talking about an issue where you actually don't agree and you're both uncomfortable. It seems like it's not really about the money for your DH exactly, it's more about the relationship with your parents. He might feel, for example, that it's a fancy car now but soon it'll be another fancy car and then live-in help or a fancy house or a fancy assisted living or supporting other relatives of yours, or whatever. He might feel that it will mess up his relationship with your dad-- men can have certain feelings about that He just doesn't have the same cultural norms that you do, and he's not comfortable with it. It's not about the money for him. It's about whether you're funding ILs' luxuries, or only their necessities. Because if you start in on luxuries there's no end to it.

My dad doesn’t have long to live. This has absolutely nothing to do with my dad. This car will be for my mom to take my dad to doctor appointments.

What difference does it make in their quality of life to have a fancy car versus a merely nice car?

When I give gifts, I try to be thoughtful. I would not want to give an inferior gift, something I would not use.

My mom already said she will probably only drive 1-2 years and she can just fix the current car. She said she doesn’t need a new car. I don’t want my mom driving an old car that keeps breaking down.

We will likely get a car that is around 40k. I gave DH the silent treatment. He didn’t even think this car purchase was an argument. He said I can get them whatever I want.

To all the posters who said it would be different if DH gave much more to his side of the family, I heard you. Thank you for the perspective.

You are coming across more childish with every post.

What do you do when you are mad at your spouse? Guess what? I won’t be sleeping with him either.

I speak to him, like an adult. Your husband didn't even know you were fighting, because this is all in your head. I mostly hate it when people say "I feel sorry for your X" on this board but -- your poor husband. He is paying for your parents' house, their incidentals, their current car, their next car, and according to you "whatever you want for you or the kids" and you're still the way that you are. Seriously, you don't have any reason to be upset, you just want to be. You seem bored. Get a job, or volunteer or something. Manufacturing drama in your own house is no way to live.

I am not bored. My dad is dying. My mom has cancer. Their car has been in and out of the shop multiple times since last year. They need a new car.

I wish I was bored. I am sandwiched between caring for our children and my elderly sick parents. My parents stress me out far more than my children. My dad has been in an out of the hospital this past year while the car would not start.

There was never not going to be a new car. You are manufacturing drama about how much the car should cost when your parents don't even care, damaging your marriage, taking your husband for granted, and being a child, all while trying to maintain the position that you don't really care about money or cars. You're a twit. Plenty of us are sandwiched between caring for children and elderly, sick parents without a taking ridiculous shots at the benefactor funding the whole endeavor and then bragging about it online.

How is this bragging?

DH said I can get my parent the car I wanted. I think I was more bothered at the lack of our finances being joint than about the car.

We will see what car my parents want. Fight over.

I actually was curious about the finances of other one earning households.

Op, my DH makes $3M and I make $200k, so not a SAHP, but my income is pretty insignificant to our lives.

I do get a lot of say on our purchases. I’m actually the one who is more frugal - DH has a hobby and I don’t let him go crazy buying stuff to support it - like we have to come to agreement over a $3K purchase, which is stupid when you think about the money we make, but that’s our system. I check with him when I buy anything over $500 dollars - not asking for permission, really, but giving him a chance to disagree or suggest something else. I can’t remember the last time he said no, but I’m usually the conservative one with spending, so by the time I am ready to purchase a big budget item we have usually been talking about it a while.

I will only add that DH works really, really hard at his job - sometimes I’m amazed at his stamina. He loves it, and I feel like I work hard, too, not so much at my job, but dealing with our kids and the house stuff. But I’m careful about our money because I wonder if one day DH will just decide he’s done. And I would never tell him he needs to keep doing it, so I don’t want to live a lifestyle where he is stuck working to maintain it.

We live on less than your income and I don't need to check with my husband about anything. I might mention it but he wouldn't care at all. Why would you need to check with him on something that was $500 to a few thousand? You can afford anything and everything you want.

Because it's not just about the money, it's about relationships and the effect that money and gifts can have on relationships.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:I think there are various issues at play.

-the dynamics of not having your own income
-what you believe is a reasonable cost for a car
-asking your spouse to support in-laws financially

I stay at home and my spouse earns about $800k. He's spendier by nature than I am so there's that. I noticed you said your husband "lets" you do this or that. You also said that *he* got you your $110k car. Did you not pick out your own car? Change the way you tell yourself these stories. Part of being an equal in the partnership is believing it yourself. He doesn't let you spend money; you decide together that it's OK to spend money. He doesn't buy you a car (unless he bought it without your input); you decide together what your budget is, and then you pick out your own car.

My husband has a $70k car. Cars aren't my thing. I have a $32k car. Obviously my husband would support me getting a $70k car if I wanted one, but I don't. So I spend that money on Disney World instead.

As for supporting your parents, I think the disconnect here is that your husband is such a car snob that it seems like he wants your parents to drive trash because he thinks a $25k car is trash. So it doesn't paint your husband in the best light. But objectively speaking, you can get a perfectly serviceable and functional car for $25k. You should figure out if you are also a car snob, or if you are upset by the implied disrespect to your parents.

That said, you should never take it for granted that your spouse will approve giving away your money to relatives. Approach those conversations carefully and with respect. And keep in mind that he didn't say no to a car . . . he just suggested a budget lower than you apparently desire. That might indicate that he is tiring of these expenses. It may not be about the appropriate price for a car so much as it's about the never-ending asks.

One thing that has helped our dynamics is to give both of us the same amount of fun money. Because I would be so cautious and debate whether to spend $200 on a few items of clothing for myself, and then my husband would buy himself multiple pairs of $200 jeans. This way, if I want something that I feel is extravagant, the money is already there. Or I can save it up and donate it or spend it on a trip or whatever. It emboldens me to treat myself, which is a good thing considering that it's never fun to deny yourself and then look over at your spouse merrily spending without a second thought.

You have painted your husband as being rather ungenerous but the fact is that he approves of spending all this money on your inlaws. That may just not be a bottomless check. He may not view it as being stingy with friends; maybe he just doesn't want people to expect him to pay. Or maybe he thinks it's respectful to treat the other person like an equal who can pay their share of the bill, even if they don't earn millions of dollars a year. My gazillionaire uncle doesn't pay for everyone all the time; he doesn't want to create lazy dependents (I'm not saying that elderly people like your parents are lazy at all . . . this is in reference to his grandchildren).

So stop telling yourself that your husband controls the purse strings and lets you do things. If you want a fancy a$$ car, then own it; don't act like your husband twisted your arm. If you DON'T want a fancy a$$ car, then say so. But I still don't understand what is wrong with getting your parents a $30k car. It sounds like you are mad on principle . . . mad that he is a car snob but doesn't extend that to cars he gifts to struggling relatives. But I think it's like if you flew them to Europe with you, but you bought them coach tickets (assuming they weren't frail and uncomfortable in the seats). Yes, for you, flying in coach is unthinkable. But it's what the vast majority of people do. And even coach tickets cost a lot these days. Or let's say you're flying your teens with you. You want the lie flat seats, but do teenagers need them? You are still being generous even if you gift someone something that's not as luxurious as what you would get yourself. It's still a gift, where none was required.

DH put his name down for a Tesla before/during the pandemic. The wait list for the Tesla was so long that he got another car during the wait time. When the delivery time came, he asked if I wanted it. I didn’t really care. My car was getting kind of old. It is 6 years old. He basically got the Tesla for our family and I am driving it. I don’t really care about cars.

We just spent 40k on spring break. We can very easily buy this car for my parents. DH is expecting a very large influx of money next month and this is before his new bump in compensation. We also have other investments that should have a multi million dollar return. I guess we do talk about money. We just don’t talk about spending it. I usually just do whatever I want as long as it is for the kids and me and not others.

It sounds like your high income has allowed you to avoid talking about an issue where you actually don't agree and you're both uncomfortable. It seems like it's not really about the money for your DH exactly, it's more about the relationship with your parents. He might feel, for example, that it's a fancy car now but soon it'll be another fancy car and then live-in help or a fancy house or a fancy assisted living or supporting other relatives of yours, or whatever. He might feel that it will mess up his relationship with your dad-- men can have certain feelings about that He just doesn't have the same cultural norms that you do, and he's not comfortable with it. It's not about the money for him. It's about whether you're funding ILs' luxuries, or only their necessities. Because if you start in on luxuries there's no end to it.

My dad doesn’t have long to live. This has absolutely nothing to do with my dad. This car will be for my mom to take my dad to doctor appointments.

What difference does it make in their quality of life to have a fancy car versus a merely nice car?

When I give gifts, I try to be thoughtful. I would not want to give an inferior gift, something I would not use.

My mom already said she will probably only drive 1-2 years and she can just fix the current car. She said she doesn’t need a new car. I don’t want my mom driving an old car that keeps breaking down.

We will likely get a car that is around 40k. I gave DH the silent treatment. He didn’t even think this car purchase was an argument. He said I can get them whatever I want.

To all the posters who said it would be different if DH gave much more to his side of the family, I heard you. Thank you for the perspective.

You are coming across more childish with every post.

What do you do when you are mad at your spouse? Guess what? I won’t be sleeping with him either.

I speak to him, like an adult. Your husband didn't even know you were fighting, because this is all in your head. I mostly hate it when people say "I feel sorry for your X" on this board but -- your poor husband. He is paying for your parents' house, their incidentals, their current car, their next car, and according to you "whatever you want for you or the kids" and you're still the way that you are. Seriously, you don't have any reason to be upset, you just want to be. You seem bored. Get a job, or volunteer or something. Manufacturing drama in your own house is no way to live.

I am not bored. My dad is dying. My mom has cancer. Their car has been in and out of the shop multiple times since last year. They need a new car.

I wish I was bored. I am sandwiched between caring for our children and my elderly sick parents. My parents stress me out far more than my children. My dad has been in an out of the hospital this past year while the car would not start.

There was never not going to be a new car. You are manufacturing drama about how much the car should cost when your parents don't even care, damaging your marriage, taking your husband for granted, and being a child, all while trying to maintain the position that you don't really care about money or cars. You're a twit. Plenty of us are sandwiched between caring for children and elderly, sick parents without a taking ridiculous shots at the benefactor funding the whole endeavor and then bragging about it online.

How is this bragging?

DH said I can get my parent the car I wanted. I think I was more bothered at the lack of our finances being joint than about the car.

We will see what car my parents want. Fight over.

I actually was curious about the finances of other one earning households.

Op, my DH makes $3M and I make $200k, so not a SAHP, but my income is pretty insignificant to our lives.

I do get a lot of say on our purchases. I’m actually the one who is more frugal - DH has a hobby and I don’t let him go crazy buying stuff to support it - like we have to come to agreement over a $3K purchase, which is stupid when you think about the money we make, but that’s our system. I check with him when I buy anything over $500 dollars - not asking for permission, really, but giving him a chance to disagree or suggest something else. I can’t remember the last time he said no, but I’m usually the conservative one with spending, so by the time I am ready to purchase a big budget item we have usually been talking about it a while.

I will only add that DH works really, really hard at his job - sometimes I’m amazed at his stamina. He loves it, and I feel like I work hard, too, not so much at my job, but dealing with our kids and the house stuff. But I’m careful about our money because I wonder if one day DH will just decide he’s done. And I would never tell him he needs to keep doing it, so I don’t want to live a lifestyle where he is stuck working to maintain it.

You sound very grounded. I agree about having a standing rule about purchases over X amount. It's just a courtesy because you're a team. Of course you green-light each other almost every time. But simply having to say out loud, "I'd like to buy this" can help you a) keep track of your spending and b) stop you from over-consuming.

OP, you're getting more confusing with each post. The whole point of your thread is that your husband wouldn't greenlight a purchase you wanted to make. Now you are claiming you don't need to ask him to do so?

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think there are various issues at play.

-the dynamics of not having your own income
-what you believe is a reasonable cost for a car
-asking your spouse to support in-laws financially

I stay at home and my spouse earns about $800k. He's spendier by nature than I am so there's that. I noticed you said your husband "lets" you do this or that. You also said that *he* got you your $110k car. Did you not pick out your own car? Change the way you tell yourself these stories. Part of being an equal in the partnership is believing it yourself. He doesn't let you spend money; you decide together that it's OK to spend money. He doesn't buy you a car (unless he bought it without your input); you decide together what your budget is, and then you pick out your own car.

My husband has a $70k car. Cars aren't my thing. I have a $32k car. Obviously my husband would support me getting a $70k car if I wanted one, but I don't. So I spend that money on Disney World instead.

As for supporting your parents, I think the disconnect here is that your husband is such a car snob that it seems like he wants your parents to drive trash because he thinks a $25k car is trash. So it doesn't paint your husband in the best light. But objectively speaking, you can get a perfectly serviceable and functional car for $25k. You should figure out if you are also a car snob, or if you are upset by the implied disrespect to your parents.

That said, you should never take it for granted that your spouse will approve giving away your money to relatives. Approach those conversations carefully and with respect. And keep in mind that he didn't say no to a car . . . he just suggested a budget lower than you apparently desire. That might indicate that he is tiring of these expenses. It may not be about the appropriate price for a car so much as it's about the never-ending asks.

One thing that has helped our dynamics is to give both of us the same amount of fun money. Because I would be so cautious and debate whether to spend $200 on a few items of clothing for myself, and then my husband would buy himself multiple pairs of $200 jeans. This way, if I want something that I feel is extravagant, the money is already there. Or I can save it up and donate it or spend it on a trip or whatever. It emboldens me to treat myself, which is a good thing considering that it's never fun to deny yourself and then look over at your spouse merrily spending without a second thought.

You have painted your husband as being rather ungenerous but the fact is that he approves of spending all this money on your inlaws. That may just not be a bottomless check. He may not view it as being stingy with friends; maybe he just doesn't want people to expect him to pay. Or maybe he thinks it's respectful to treat the other person like an equal who can pay their share of the bill, even if they don't earn millions of dollars a year. My gazillionaire uncle doesn't pay for everyone all the time; he doesn't want to create lazy dependents (I'm not saying that elderly people like your parents are lazy at all . . . this is in reference to his grandchildren).

So stop telling yourself that your husband controls the purse strings and lets you do things. If you want a fancy a$$ car, then own it; don't act like your husband twisted your arm. If you DON'T want a fancy a$$ car, then say so. But I still don't understand what is wrong with getting your parents a $30k car. It sounds like you are mad on principle . . . mad that he is a car snob but doesn't extend that to cars he gifts to struggling relatives. But I think it's like if you flew them to Europe with you, but you bought them coach tickets (assuming they weren't frail and uncomfortable in the seats). Yes, for you, flying in coach is unthinkable. But it's what the vast majority of people do. And even coach tickets cost a lot these days. Or let's say you're flying your teens with you. You want the lie flat seats, but do teenagers need them? You are still being generous even if you gift someone something that's not as luxurious as what you would get yourself. It's still a gift, where none was required.

DH put his name down for a Tesla before/during the pandemic. The wait list for the Tesla was so long that he got another car during the wait time. When the delivery time came, he asked if I wanted it. I didn’t really care. My car was getting kind of old. It is 6 years old. He basically got the Tesla for our family and I am driving it. I don’t really care about cars.

We just spent 40k on spring break. We can very easily buy this car for my parents. DH is expecting a very large influx of money next month and this is before his new bump in compensation. We also have other investments that should have a multi million dollar return. I guess we do talk about money. We just don’t talk about spending it. I usually just do whatever I want as long as it is for the kids and me and not others.

It sounds like your high income has allowed you to avoid talking about an issue where you actually don't agree and you're both uncomfortable. It seems like it's not really about the money for your DH exactly, it's more about the relationship with your parents. He might feel, for example, that it's a fancy car now but soon it'll be another fancy car and then live-in help or a fancy house or a fancy assisted living or supporting other relatives of yours, or whatever. He might feel that it will mess up his relationship with your dad-- men can have certain feelings about that He just doesn't have the same cultural norms that you do, and he's not comfortable with it. It's not about the money for him. It's about whether you're funding ILs' luxuries, or only their necessities. Because if you start in on luxuries there's no end to it.

My dad doesn’t have long to live. This has absolutely nothing to do with my dad. This car will be for my mom to take my dad to doctor appointments.

What difference does it make in their quality of life to have a fancy car versus a merely nice car?

When I give gifts, I try to be thoughtful. I would not want to give an inferior gift, something I would not use.

My mom already said she will probably only drive 1-2 years and she can just fix the current car. She said she doesn’t need a new car. I don’t want my mom driving an old car that keeps breaking down.

We will likely get a car that is around 40k. I gave DH the silent treatment. He didn’t even think this car purchase was an argument. He said I can get them whatever I want.

To all the posters who said it would be different if DH gave much more to his side of the family, I heard you. Thank you for the perspective.

You are coming across more childish with every post.

What do you do when you are mad at your spouse? Guess what? I won’t be sleeping with him either.

I speak to him, like an adult. Your husband didn't even know you were fighting, because this is all in your head. I mostly hate it when people say "I feel sorry for your X" on this board but -- your poor husband. He is paying for your parents' house, their incidentals, their current car, their next car, and according to you "whatever you want for you or the kids" and you're still the way that you are. Seriously, you don't have any reason to be upset, you just want to be. You seem bored. Get a job, or volunteer or something. Manufacturing drama in your own house is no way to live.

I am not bored. My dad is dying. My mom has cancer. Their car has been in and out of the shop multiple times since last year. They need a new car.

I wish I was bored. I am sandwiched between caring for our children and my elderly sick parents. My parents stress me out far more than my children. My dad has been in an out of the hospital this past year while the car would not start.

You would be far better off with a $25-30K car given this situation and paying for full-time caregiver for them if your Dad is not doing well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There's a big difference between the silent treatment and ignoring your husband and kids, and saying, "I am feeling overwhelmed and need to go digest my feelings." You framed it as intentionally using the silent treatment in order to get the outcome that you wanted. That is dysfunctional and manipulative. And if he didn't know you two were having an argument, then you are a poor communicator. If your spouse hasn't figured out that you are upset about something, keep telling them until they get it.

I’m not sure I know or care what the difference is between not talking to someone and taking a break and silent treatment. I do know my family, both DH and kids, know that when I’m quiet, it means I am upset and they know to give me some space.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There's a big difference between the silent treatment and ignoring your husband and kids, and saying, "I am feeling overwhelmed and need to go digest my feelings." You framed it as intentionally using the silent treatment in order to get the outcome that you wanted. That is dysfunctional and manipulative. And if he didn't know you two were having an argument, then you are a poor communicator. If your spouse hasn't figured out that you are upset about something, keep telling them until they get it.

I’m not sure I know or care what the difference is between not talking to someone and taking a break and silent treatment. I do know my family, both DH and kids, know that when I’m quiet, it means I am upset and they know to give me some space.

The silent treatment is when you remain silent even when they speak to you, about any topic, and you refuse to discuss what's actually bothering you. It's rude, childish, punitive, and unproductive. Taking a break is when you go into another space or request silence for a while, but you still respond when spoken to about other things, and you recognize the need for a civil adult conversation when you feel calm enough. It's minimally courteous and acknowledges the need for an adult conversation to resolve the issue.

If you can't even say aloud to your DH that you are upset, you have a communication problem in your marriage. You say he knows when you are upset, but you said in this situation that he did not realize there was even a disagreement. So which is it?

[Anonymous]

If your parents don't want a fancy car and will be fine without one (as you said in your original post), then what's the big deal? You say you don't care about cars. So who exactly thinks it's important that your parents have a fancy car?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I’d be upset if I were you too. It’s a slight against your parents.

Putting that aside, does your DH really want a $25k car parked in your driveway all day? If he is a car snob, I can’t see how he wouldn’t be “ashamed” of that.

Also consider: if you just bought the car you want for your parents, what would happen?

Final thought: I’m a bit grossed out by his negative feelings for when you treat your financially struggling / single parent friends. His stinginess is not a very attractive human trait. He should consider working on that. I know you’re probably not inclined to bring it up, but I hope you do. And I hope your family donates a commensurate amount to charities too.

Serious question, do you feel that every person is obligated to give their relatives the exact same standard of living that they have for themselves? Where does this end? Do you have to buy them a house? Is this for aunts and uncles too, cousins, everyone?

+1000

The level of entitlement is ridiculous. Huge difference between no taking care of your IL or relatives versus providing the lap of luxury for them.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:I think there are various issues at play.

-the dynamics of not having your own income
-what you believe is a reasonable cost for a car
-asking your spouse to support in-laws financially

I stay at home and my spouse earns about $800k. He's spendier by nature than I am so there's that. I noticed you said your husband "lets" you do this or that. You also said that *he* got you your $110k car. Did you not pick out your own car? Change the way you tell yourself these stories. Part of being an equal in the partnership is believing it yourself. He doesn't let you spend money; you decide together that it's OK to spend money. He doesn't buy you a car (unless he bought it without your input); you decide together what your budget is, and then you pick out your own car.

My husband has a $70k car. Cars aren't my thing. I have a $32k car. Obviously my husband would support me getting a $70k car if I wanted one, but I don't. So I spend that money on Disney World instead.

As for supporting your parents, I think the disconnect here is that your husband is such a car snob that it seems like he wants your parents to drive trash because he thinks a $25k car is trash. So it doesn't paint your husband in the best light. But objectively speaking, you can get a perfectly serviceable and functional car for $25k. You should figure out if you are also a car snob, or if you are upset by the implied disrespect to your parents.

That said, you should never take it for granted that your spouse will approve giving away your money to relatives. Approach those conversations carefully and with respect. And keep in mind that he didn't say no to a car . . . he just suggested a budget lower than you apparently desire. That might indicate that he is tiring of these expenses. It may not be about the appropriate price for a car so much as it's about the never-ending asks.

One thing that has helped our dynamics is to give both of us the same amount of fun money. Because I would be so cautious and debate whether to spend $200 on a few items of clothing for myself, and then my husband would buy himself multiple pairs of $200 jeans. This way, if I want something that I feel is extravagant, the money is already there. Or I can save it up and donate it or spend it on a trip or whatever. It emboldens me to treat myself, which is a good thing considering that it's never fun to deny yourself and then look over at your spouse merrily spending without a second thought.

You have painted your husband as being rather ungenerous but the fact is that he approves of spending all this money on your inlaws. That may just not be a bottomless check. He may not view it as being stingy with friends; maybe he just doesn't want people to expect him to pay. Or maybe he thinks it's respectful to treat the other person like an equal who can pay their share of the bill, even if they don't earn millions of dollars a year. My gazillionaire uncle doesn't pay for everyone all the time; he doesn't want to create lazy dependents (I'm not saying that elderly people like your parents are lazy at all . . . this is in reference to his grandchildren).

So stop telling yourself that your husband controls the purse strings and lets you do things. If you want a fancy a$$ car, then own it; don't act like your husband twisted your arm. If you DON'T want a fancy a$$ car, then say so. But I still don't understand what is wrong with getting your parents a $30k car. It sounds like you are mad on principle . . . mad that he is a car snob but doesn't extend that to cars he gifts to struggling relatives. But I think it's like if you flew them to Europe with you, but you bought them coach tickets (assuming they weren't frail and uncomfortable in the seats). Yes, for you, flying in coach is unthinkable. But it's what the vast majority of people do. And even coach tickets cost a lot these days. Or let's say you're flying your teens with you. You want the lie flat seats, but do teenagers need them? You are still being generous even if you gift someone something that's not as luxurious as what you would get yourself. It's still a gift, where none was required.

DH put his name down for a Tesla before/during the pandemic. The wait list for the Tesla was so long that he got another car during the wait time. When the delivery time came, he asked if I wanted it. I didn’t really care. My car was getting kind of old. It is 6 years old. He basically got the Tesla for our family and I am driving it. I don’t really care about cars.

We just spent 40k on spring break. We can very easily buy this car for my parents. DH is expecting a very large influx of money next month and this is before his new bump in compensation. We also have other investments that should have a multi million dollar return. I guess we do talk about money. We just don’t talk about spending it. I usually just do whatever I want as long as it is for the kids and me and not others.

It sounds like your high income has allowed you to avoid talking about an issue where you actually don't agree and you're both uncomfortable. It seems like it's not really about the money for your DH exactly, it's more about the relationship with your parents. He might feel, for example, that it's a fancy car now but soon it'll be another fancy car and then live-in help or a fancy house or a fancy assisted living or supporting other relatives of yours, or whatever. He might feel that it will mess up his relationship with your dad-- men can have certain feelings about that He just doesn't have the same cultural norms that you do, and he's not comfortable with it. It's not about the money for him. It's about whether you're funding ILs' luxuries, or only their necessities. Because if you start in on luxuries there's no end to it.

My dad doesn’t have long to live. This has absolutely nothing to do with my dad. This car will be for my mom to take my dad to doctor appointments.

What difference does it make in their quality of life to have a fancy car versus a merely nice car?

When I give gifts, I try to be thoughtful. I would not want to give an inferior gift, something I would not use.

My mom already said she will probably only drive 1-2 years and she can just fix the current car. She said she doesn’t need a new car. I don’t want my mom driving an old car that keeps breaking down.

We will likely get a car that is around 40k. I gave DH the silent treatment. He didn’t even think this car purchase was an argument. He said I can get them whatever I want.

To all the posters who said it would be different if DH gave much more to his side of the family, I heard you. Thank you for the perspective.

You are coming across more childish with every post.

What do you do when you are mad at your spouse? Guess what? I won’t be sleeping with him either.

I speak to him, like an adult. Your husband didn't even know you were fighting, because this is all in your head. I mostly hate it when people say "I feel sorry for your X" on this board but -- your poor husband. He is paying for your parents' house, their incidentals, their current car, their next car, and according to you "whatever you want for you or the kids" and you're still the way that you are. Seriously, you don't have any reason to be upset, you just want to be. You seem bored. Get a job, or volunteer or something. Manufacturing drama in your own house is no way to live.

I am not bored. My dad is dying. My mom has cancer. Their car has been in and out of the shop multiple times since last year. They need a new car.

I wish I was bored. I am sandwiched between caring for our children and my elderly sick parents. My parents stress me out far more than my children. My dad has been in an out of the hospital this past year while the car would not start.

There was never not going to be a new car. You are manufacturing drama about how much the car should cost when your parents don't even care, damaging your marriage, taking your husband for granted, and being a child, all while trying to maintain the position that you don't really care about money or cars. You're a twit. Plenty of us are sandwiched between caring for children and elderly, sick parents without a taking ridiculous shots at the benefactor funding the whole endeavor and then bragging about it online.

How is this bragging?

DH said I can get my parent the car I wanted. I think I was more bothered at the lack of our finances being joint than about the car.

We will see what car my parents want. Fight over.

I actually was curious about the finances of other one earning households.

Op, my DH makes $3M and I make $200k, so not a SAHP, but my income is pretty insignificant to our lives.

I do get a lot of say on our purchases. I’m actually the one who is more frugal - DH has a hobby and I don’t let him go crazy buying stuff to support it - like we have to come to agreement over a $3K purchase, which is stupid when you think about the money we make, but that’s our system. I check with him when I buy anything over $500 dollars - not asking for permission, really, but giving him a chance to disagree or suggest something else. I can’t remember the last time he said no, but I’m usually the conservative one with spending, so by the time I am ready to purchase a big budget item we have usually been talking about it a while.

I will only add that DH works really, really hard at his job - sometimes I’m amazed at his stamina. He loves it, and I feel like I work hard, too, not so much at my job, but dealing with our kids and the house stuff. But I’m careful about our money because I wonder if one day DH will just decide he’s done. And I would never tell him he needs to keep doing it, so I don’t want to live a lifestyle where he is stuck working to maintain it.

We live on less than your income and I don't need to check with my husband about anything. I might mention it but he wouldn't care at all. Why would you need to check with him on something that was $500 to a few thousand? You can afford anything and everything you want.

Because it's not just about the money, it's about relationships and the effect that money and gifts can have on relationships.

If you have a healthy relationship, you don't have to check for spending $500. However, you might just want to discuss a $5000 purchase, because that's what people in a healthy relationship do. I know my partner will say yes, but it's more about making sure we are on the same page and just because I have nothing to hide, but I don't routinely spend $1k+ on a daily basis for something we haven't planned for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think there are various issues at play.

-the dynamics of not having your own income
-what you believe is a reasonable cost for a car
-asking your spouse to support in-laws financially

I stay at home and my spouse earns about $800k. He's spendier by nature than I am so there's that. I noticed you said your husband "lets" you do this or that. You also said that *he* got you your $110k car. Did you not pick out your own car? Change the way you tell yourself these stories. Part of being an equal in the partnership is believing it yourself. He doesn't let you spend money; you decide together that it's OK to spend money. He doesn't buy you a car (unless he bought it without your input); you decide together what your budget is, and then you pick out your own car.

My husband has a $70k car. Cars aren't my thing. I have a $32k car. Obviously my husband would support me getting a $70k car if I wanted one, but I don't. So I spend that money on Disney World instead.

As for supporting your parents, I think the disconnect here is that your husband is such a car snob that it seems like he wants your parents to drive trash because he thinks a $25k car is trash. So it doesn't paint your husband in the best light. But objectively speaking, you can get a perfectly serviceable and functional car for $25k. You should figure out if you are also a car snob, or if you are upset by the implied disrespect to your parents.

That said, you should never take it for granted that your spouse will approve giving away your money to relatives. Approach those conversations carefully and with respect. And keep in mind that he didn't say no to a car . . . he just suggested a budget lower than you apparently desire. That might indicate that he is tiring of these expenses. It may not be about the appropriate price for a car so much as it's about the never-ending asks.

One thing that has helped our dynamics is to give both of us the same amount of fun money. Because I would be so cautious and debate whether to spend $200 on a few items of clothing for myself, and then my husband would buy himself multiple pairs of $200 jeans. This way, if I want something that I feel is extravagant, the money is already there. Or I can save it up and donate it or spend it on a trip or whatever. It emboldens me to treat myself, which is a good thing considering that it's never fun to deny yourself and then look over at your spouse merrily spending without a second thought.

You have painted your husband as being rather ungenerous but the fact is that he approves of spending all this money on your inlaws. That may just not be a bottomless check. He may not view it as being stingy with friends; maybe he just doesn't want people to expect him to pay. Or maybe he thinks it's respectful to treat the other person like an equal who can pay their share of the bill, even if they don't earn millions of dollars a year. My gazillionaire uncle doesn't pay for everyone all the time; he doesn't want to create lazy dependents (I'm not saying that elderly people like your parents are lazy at all . . . this is in reference to his grandchildren).

So stop telling yourself that your husband controls the purse strings and lets you do things. If you want a fancy a$$ car, then own it; don't act like your husband twisted your arm. If you DON'T want a fancy a$$ car, then say so. But I still don't understand what is wrong with getting your parents a $30k car. It sounds like you are mad on principle . . . mad that he is a car snob but doesn't extend that to cars he gifts to struggling relatives. But I think it's like if you flew them to Europe with you, but you bought them coach tickets (assuming they weren't frail and uncomfortable in the seats). Yes, for you, flying in coach is unthinkable. But it's what the vast majority of people do. And even coach tickets cost a lot these days. Or let's say you're flying your teens with you. You want the lie flat seats, but do teenagers need them? You are still being generous even if you gift someone something that's not as luxurious as what you would get yourself. It's still a gift, where none was required.

DH put his name down for a Tesla before/during the pandemic. The wait list for the Tesla was so long that he got another car during the wait time. When the delivery time came, he asked if I wanted it. I didn’t really care. My car was getting kind of old. It is 6 years old. He basically got the Tesla for our family and I am driving it. I don’t really care about cars.

We just spent 40k on spring break. We can very easily buy this car for my parents. DH is expecting a very large influx of money next month and this is before his new bump in compensation. We also have other investments that should have a multi million dollar return. I guess we do talk about money. We just don’t talk about spending it. I usually just do whatever I want as long as it is for the kids and me and not others.

It sounds like your high income has allowed you to avoid talking about an issue where you actually don't agree and you're both uncomfortable. It seems like it's not really about the money for your DH exactly, it's more about the relationship with your parents. He might feel, for example, that it's a fancy car now but soon it'll be another fancy car and then live-in help or a fancy house or a fancy assisted living or supporting other relatives of yours, or whatever. He might feel that it will mess up his relationship with your dad-- men can have certain feelings about that He just doesn't have the same cultural norms that you do, and he's not comfortable with it. It's not about the money for him. It's about whether you're funding ILs' luxuries, or only their necessities. Because if you start in on luxuries there's no end to it.

My dad doesn’t have long to live. This has absolutely nothing to do with my dad. This car will be for my mom to take my dad to doctor appointments.

What difference does it make in their quality of life to have a fancy car versus a merely nice car?

When I give gifts, I try to be thoughtful. I would not want to give an inferior gift, something I would not use.

My mom already said she will probably only drive 1-2 years and she can just fix the current car. She said she doesn’t need a new car. I don’t want my mom driving an old car that keeps breaking down.

We will likely get a car that is around 40k. I gave DH the silent treatment. He didn’t even think this car purchase was an argument. He said I can get them whatever I want.

To all the posters who said it would be different if DH gave much more to his side of the family, I heard you. Thank you for the perspective.

You are coming across more childish with every post.

What do you do when you are mad at your spouse? Guess what? I won’t be sleeping with him either.

I speak to him, like an adult. Your husband didn't even know you were fighting, because this is all in your head. I mostly hate it when people say "I feel sorry for your X" on this board but -- your poor husband. He is paying for your parents' house, their incidentals, their current car, their next car, and according to you "whatever you want for you or the kids" and you're still the way that you are. Seriously, you don't have any reason to be upset, you just want to be. You seem bored. Get a job, or volunteer or something. Manufacturing drama in your own house is no way to live.

I am not bored. My dad is dying. My mom has cancer. Their car has been in and out of the shop multiple times since last year. They need a new car.

I wish I was bored. I am sandwiched between caring for our children and my elderly sick parents. My parents stress me out far more than my children. My dad has been in an out of the hospital this past year while the car would not start.

You would be far better off with a $25-30K car given this situation and paying for full-time caregiver for them if your Dad is not doing well.

+100000
They don't need a fancy car. they need a good reliable safe car. And the extra would likely be better spent on providing assistance to them, be it a house cleaner, a caregiver, etc. Something that actually goes the distance for improving their quality of life and making life easier. A luxury car is NOT that item.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think there are various issues at play.

-the dynamics of not having your own income
-what you believe is a reasonable cost for a car
-asking your spouse to support in-laws financially

I stay at home and my spouse earns about $800k. He's spendier by nature than I am so there's that. I noticed you said your husband "lets" you do this or that. You also said that *he* got you your $110k car. Did you not pick out your own car? Change the way you tell yourself these stories. Part of being an equal in the partnership is believing it yourself. He doesn't let you spend money; you decide together that it's OK to spend money. He doesn't buy you a car (unless he bought it without your input); you decide together what your budget is, and then you pick out your own car.

My husband has a $70k car. Cars aren't my thing. I have a $32k car. Obviously my husband would support me getting a $70k car if I wanted one, but I don't. So I spend that money on Disney World instead.

As for supporting your parents, I think the disconnect here is that your husband is such a car snob that it seems like he wants your parents to drive trash because he thinks a $25k car is trash. So it doesn't paint your husband in the best light. But objectively speaking, you can get a perfectly serviceable and functional car for $25k. You should figure out if you are also a car snob, or if you are upset by the implied disrespect to your parents.

That said, you should never take it for granted that your spouse will approve giving away your money to relatives. Approach those conversations carefully and with respect. And keep in mind that he didn't say no to a car . . . he just suggested a budget lower than you apparently desire. That might indicate that he is tiring of these expenses. It may not be about the appropriate price for a car so much as it's about the never-ending asks.

One thing that has helped our dynamics is to give both of us the same amount of fun money. Because I would be so cautious and debate whether to spend $200 on a few items of clothing for myself, and then my husband would buy himself multiple pairs of $200 jeans. This way, if I want something that I feel is extravagant, the money is already there. Or I can save it up and donate it or spend it on a trip or whatever. It emboldens me to treat myself, which is a good thing considering that it's never fun to deny yourself and then look over at your spouse merrily spending without a second thought.

You have painted your husband as being rather ungenerous but the fact is that he approves of spending all this money on your inlaws. That may just not be a bottomless check. He may not view it as being stingy with friends; maybe he just doesn't want people to expect him to pay. Or maybe he thinks it's respectful to treat the other person like an equal who can pay their share of the bill, even if they don't earn millions of dollars a year. My gazillionaire uncle doesn't pay for everyone all the time; he doesn't want to create lazy dependents (I'm not saying that elderly people like your parents are lazy at all . . . this is in reference to his grandchildren).

So stop telling yourself that your husband controls the purse strings and lets you do things. If you want a fancy a$$ car, then own it; don't act like your husband twisted your arm. If you DON'T want a fancy a$$ car, then say so. But I still don't understand what is wrong with getting your parents a $30k car. It sounds like you are mad on principle . . . mad that he is a car snob but doesn't extend that to cars he gifts to struggling relatives. But I think it's like if you flew them to Europe with you, but you bought them coach tickets (assuming they weren't frail and uncomfortable in the seats). Yes, for you, flying in coach is unthinkable. But it's what the vast majority of people do. And even coach tickets cost a lot these days. Or let's say you're flying your teens with you. You want the lie flat seats, but do teenagers need them? You are still being generous even if you gift someone something that's not as luxurious as what you would get yourself. It's still a gift, where none was required.

DH put his name down for a Tesla before/during the pandemic. The wait list for the Tesla was so long that he got another car during the wait time. When the delivery time came, he asked if I wanted it. I didn’t really care. My car was getting kind of old. It is 6 years old. He basically got the Tesla for our family and I am driving it. I don’t really care about cars.

We just spent 40k on spring break. We can very easily buy this car for my parents. DH is expecting a very large influx of money next month and this is before his new bump in compensation. We also have other investments that should have a multi million dollar return. I guess we do talk about money. We just don’t talk about spending it. I usually just do whatever I want as long as it is for the kids and me and not others.

It sounds like your high income has allowed you to avoid talking about an issue where you actually don't agree and you're both uncomfortable. It seems like it's not really about the money for your DH exactly, it's more about the relationship with your parents. He might feel, for example, that it's a fancy car now but soon it'll be another fancy car and then live-in help or a fancy house or a fancy assisted living or supporting other relatives of yours, or whatever. He might feel that it will mess up his relationship with your dad-- men can have certain feelings about that He just doesn't have the same cultural norms that you do, and he's not comfortable with it. It's not about the money for him. It's about whether you're funding ILs' luxuries, or only their necessities. Because if you start in on luxuries there's no end to it.

My dad doesn’t have long to live. This has absolutely nothing to do with my dad. This car will be for my mom to take my dad to doctor appointments.

What difference does it make in their quality of life to have a fancy car versus a merely nice car?

When I give gifts, I try to be thoughtful. I would not want to give an inferior gift, something I would not use.

My mom already said she will probably only drive 1-2 years and she can just fix the current car. She said she doesn’t need a new car. I don’t want my mom driving an old car that keeps breaking down.

We will likely get a car that is around 40k. I gave DH the silent treatment. He didn’t even think this car purchase was an argument. He said I can get them whatever I want.

To all the posters who said it would be different if DH gave much more to his side of the family, I heard you. Thank you for the perspective.

You are coming across more childish with every post.

What do you do when you are mad at your spouse? Guess what? I won’t be sleeping with him either.

I speak to him, like an adult. Your husband didn't even know you were fighting, because this is all in your head. I mostly hate it when people say "I feel sorry for your X" on this board but -- your poor husband. He is paying for your parents' house, their incidentals, their current car, their next car, and according to you "whatever you want for you or the kids" and you're still the way that you are. Seriously, you don't have any reason to be upset, you just want to be. You seem bored. Get a job, or volunteer or something. Manufacturing drama in your own house is no way to live.

I am not bored. My dad is dying. My mom has cancer. Their car has been in and out of the shop multiple times since last year. They need a new car.

I wish I was bored. I am sandwiched between caring for our children and my elderly sick parents. My parents stress me out far more than my children. My dad has been in an out of the hospital this past year while the car would not start.

There was never not going to be a new car. You are manufacturing drama about how much the car should cost when your parents don't even care, damaging your marriage, taking your husband for granted, and being a child, all while trying to maintain the position that you don't really care about money or cars. You're a twit. Plenty of us are sandwiched between caring for children and elderly, sick parents without a taking ridiculous shots at the benefactor funding the whole endeavor and then bragging about it online.

How is this bragging?

DH said I can get my parent the car I wanted. I think I was more bothered at the lack of our finances being joint than about the car.

We will see what car my parents want. Fight over.

I actually was curious about the finances of other one earning households.

Op, my DH makes $3M and I make $200k, so not a SAHP, but my income is pretty insignificant to our lives.

I do get a lot of say on our purchases. I’m actually the one who is more frugal - DH has a hobby and I don’t let him go crazy buying stuff to support it - like we have to come to agreement over a $3K purchase, which is stupid when you think about the money we make, but that’s our system. I check with him when I buy anything over $500 dollars - not asking for permission, really, but giving him a chance to disagree or suggest something else. I can’t remember the last time he said no, but I’m usually the conservative one with spending, so by the time I am ready to purchase a big budget item we have usually been talking about it a while.

I will only add that DH works really, really hard at his job - sometimes I’m amazed at his stamina. He loves it, and I feel like I work hard, too, not so much at my job, but dealing with our kids and the house stuff. But I’m careful about our money because I wonder if one day DH will just decide he’s done. And I would never tell him he needs to keep doing it, so I don’t want to live a lifestyle where he is stuck working to maintain it.

We live on less than your income and I don't need to check with my husband about anything. I might mention it but he wouldn't care at all. Why would you need to check with him on something that was $500 to a few thousand? You can afford anything and everything you want.

Because it's not just about the money, it's about relationships and the effect that money and gifts can have on relationships.

If you have a healthy relationship, you don't have to check for spending $500. However, you might just want to discuss a $5000 purchase, because that's what people in a healthy relationship do. I know my partner will say yes, but it's more about making sure we are on the same page and just because I have nothing to hide, but I don't routinely spend $1k+ on a daily basis for something we haven't planned for.

The number varies by couple, depending on a lot of factors. How much discretionary spending can they afford? What size purchases does one or both normally make? You can say that someone else's number wouldn't work for you, but you can't call them unhealthy for having different circumstances than you do.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There's a big difference between the silent treatment and ignoring your husband and kids, and saying, "I am feeling overwhelmed and need to go digest my feelings." You framed it as intentionally using the silent treatment in order to get the outcome that you wanted. That is dysfunctional and manipulative. And if he didn't know you two were having an argument, then you are a poor communicator. If your spouse hasn't figured out that you are upset about something, keep telling them until they get it.

I’m not sure I know or care what the difference is between not talking to someone and taking a break and silent treatment. I do know my family, both DH and kids, know that when I’m quiet, it means I am upset and they know to give me some space.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/overcoming-destructive-anger/202209/why-the-silent-treatment-is-such-destructive-form-passive

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/fixing-families/202106/want-stop-arguing-start-stopping-yourself

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DH is a high earner and I’m a SAHM. Our accounts are mostly all joint. He has his own work retirement fund but we have a joint checking, joint checking, names on our homes, etc. I can spend as I please on myself and our three children.

My parents are in poor health and have depleted their savings on medical and now living in a house Dh and I own. They live on social security and we pay for all their extras. DH is fine with this. It has been like this for several years. I gave my parents my old car about a decade ago. It is dying and I wanted to get my parents a new car. DH is fine getting them a cheaper car ($20:30k) but does not seem to want to get them a car to replace my old car.

DH earns a seven figure income and just got a significant bump in pay. He will likely be pushing $3m in earning this year.

I know my parents would be fine and happy with anything. I am just annoyed that our money does not seem like our money at all. It is only our money when it comes to retirement savings or college savings or investing in our future. We live a very good lifestyle. We have 4 cars that all cost over $100k. I am not even into cars and Dh got me a new car this year that cost $110k. He has a luxury SUV with all the bells and whistles and also a flashy sports car. If I said I wanted a $200k car for myself, Dh would probably get it for me.

Am I being unreasonable to want to buy my parents a new car priced $50-60k?

I have been saying I want to go back to work. This seems the perfect reason to go back to work. Our money is not really our money after all.

Yes, OP, you are being unreasonable. It's not that your husband is pulling rank on you b/c he earns more. It's that he's making a very LOGICAL decision to provide them with the transportation they need. I think you are trying to lavish them with a fancy expensive car to prove/show your love to them. You are trying to use the car purchase price as a proxy for love. Your husband isn't trying to use the car as a "vehicle" for emotion. He is simply trying to solve the transportation problem.

You are trying to make this about a power imbalance. It's not. It's an economic decision that makes sense. Giving a $50k car to older people in poor health is not smart and it's not necessary.

[Anonymous]

I don’t think this disagreement has anything to do with one parent SAH. It could easily happen in a dual income marriage. Also in many dual income marriages the man still claims authority over financial decisions, and in many marriages with an income imbalance the decisions are made mutually.

[Anonymous]

OP, in a functional joint-money relationship, you'd have an adult conversation about it. You'd have many adult conversations about money over the years, instead of avoiding the topic. You'd talk about your families of origin and money in that context-- your feeling of filial obligation, his feeling of social awkwardness about wealth disparities, whatever it may be. You'd probably set some boundaries around family spending (like, spend on parents but not cousins, only spend $100,000 a year on parents, whatever). You'd be aware of each other's savings goals and what each other thinks the savings are to be used for. It would NOT include the "silent treatment", withholding sex, or any other childish behavior. The *only* way to have truly joint money is to work out your differences through a candid discussion and reach a compromise. Joint money does NOT mean you get to buy whatever you want because you are rich. Right now you don't have joint money because you're not behaving like an adult about money.

So you'd be going into this car conversation with an understanding of your DH's concerns and sensitivities and he'd have an understanding of yours. You'd talk about what your parents actually need vs what's nice-to-have. You'd come out of the conversation with an approximate budget that both of you are comfortable with, and a list of features you're looking for in a car to suit your mom (low to the ground, assisted parking), and you'd shop around for something in the budget that has those features. If you can't find one, you re-open the budget discussion. But you do not, ever, give your DH the "silent treatment" or have any other kind of adult tantrum because he won't give you carte blanche to do whatever you want. That's not what joint money is.

[Anonymous]

You can spend $5k to have a financial advisor that you hire individually for yourself sit down with just you, not your husband, and give you some long-term advice and how money flows. Are you buying $60k cars for each child? Every time? Their spouses? Each of your grandchildren? How about educational expenses? Will DH be working forever? These are the kinds of questions you need to be thinking about to sort of mature out your role as the child of your parents. You need to see the big picture here, and if you wait for DH to educate you then he will have trouble respecting you. Get some money education for yourself.