Reply to Wife’s routine spending

Forum Index » Relationship Discussion (non-explicit)

Reply to "Wife’s routine spending - what is normal?"

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]How did you grow up? I wasn't raised buying designer things or good skincare so I tend to be frugal, but I am also realistic... My thoughts as a SAHM with DH's salary of $350k:

• 200/month gym membership
Nope, you can join a cheaper gym. I workout for free at home.

• 100/month on two manicures / pedicures
This is crazy. You can do your nails yourself. And overdone hands is passé and cheap anyway. Plus, toxic.

• 200 every 3-4 months on hair cuts
This seems fine to me. You value her looks and this is something she can't do herself. A good haircut makes a big difference. I spend $300 2x/year on my hair. I wear it long so it doesn't need much maintenance and color my greys myself in between.

•200-300 every couple months on skin products
Depends on what "every couple months" means. I buy the pricey stuff my derm recommends and my skin looks better at 45 than it did at 35. I spend roughly $1,000 year on products. Again, if you value her looks it might be the norm...

• Once a year massage or spa , around 200
Once a year is fine. I never get them, but would love to be gifted one every now and then.

• Every couple of months I see 300-600 on the credit card for clothes, she says some of this gets returned and that she needs more clothes recently due to size changes of having two kids in past 4 years
-Eh, she isn't going into an office, she probably doesn't need to be spending this much. I "get dressed" every day, meaning I don't wear schlubby tights or whatever, but I still only spend about $600/year on clothes.

• Once or twice a year she makes a bigger purchase between 500-1000, could be bag, jewelry, shoes, clothing. It’s usually a birthday or anniversary gift.
I don't have the lifestyle of fine jewelry or bags so this can probably take a pause while she's at home. But doesn't she clear a 1k purchase with you? And don't you do the same with her? Me and DH do.

• 50-100 /month on coffee or lunch - this is just for her , not family take out or eating out
- If this is her only entertainment, let it go. She's not doing $200 dinners with friends or concerts or whatever. This probably keeps her sane.

I think some easy fat to cut would be her clothing budget, manicures, and gym membership. But really, I don't think you can tell her this. You should add up her spending and yours. Take a deep look at it and figure out what your goals are as a team.

It also sounds like she may buy a lot of clothes for the kids? How expensive are they? Kids grow quickly, but we managed to be pretty frugal by swapping with friends and buying cheap stuff. It doesn't need to be well-made if they will barf on it and only wear it for 5 months. Now, if your values are not to buy fast fashion, then hand-me-downs are great too.

But also, I wouldn't let everything slide and count on her going back to work soon...[/quote]

You sound like you are LMC and destined to stay there.  OP's wife clearly has normal habits for a MC person.  The DIY approach you suggest looks DIY on a person, just like it does on a house.[/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics