Layout:
Home > I need advice...

I need advice...

March 20th, 2005 at 01:25 pm

Today should be a great day. It's Sunday, and the weather is lousy, so we're staying in all day and having a fire. I didn't spend any money yesterday, and was planning on not spending today, but I just ordered a $50 Shell gift card on EBAY for $45. (We spend a ton of money on gas, so anytime I can get it 10% off I jump, especially since the other cards I have are running low).

I need advice on how to deal with a spouse who's not really into the frugal thing. He doesn't spend a lot of money, but he also doesn't share my excitement for saving $5 here or $10 there. I opened up a savings account to put in all of my little savings, hoping by the end of the year he will see how it has accumulated into something more than a "couple of bucks". But I find that all the day-to-day frugality (turning off the lights, turning the heat down, cutting coupons) goes right by him. Any suggestions?

2 Responses to “I need advice...”

  1. Anonymous Says:
    1111340529

    Well, I understand that can be frustrating -- I've had a similar situations at times. I think the best thing to do is to just continue to do what works for you, and lead by quiet example. Often over time partners can make quite a turn around, when not pushed or pulled ....

  2. Anonymous Says:
    1111372067

    Sounds like he needs a goal, a reason to be frugal. If he has no financial goal or he feels that what he is doing already - 401K saving, etc - is meeting his financial goal, he's going to behave in the way you described. At least he's not undermining you by secretly spending...or you haven't caught him at it.

    From your perspective, you have to sit him down in a neutral, non-kid setting (a 3$ latte date would be frugal in this case) and talk to him what his goals and dreams are. After that, arrange another date and run some numbers past him. Your numbers will be small right now but if you add in the power of compounding, it can be a strong inducement.

Leave a Reply

(Note: If you were logged in, we could automatically fill in these fields for you.)
*
Will not be published.
   

* Please spell out the number 4.  [ Why? ]

vB Code: You can use these tags: [b] [i] [u] [url] [email]