Comments on musings and misadventures: HTT - $$ Edition

I just added your blog site to my blogroll, I pray...

2010-12-05T07:29:44.546-06:00

I just added your blog site to my blogroll, I pray you would give some thought to doing the same.

Do you people have a facebook fan page? I looked f...

2010-12-01T12:12:58.539-06:00

Do you people have a facebook fan page? I looked for one on twitter but could not discover one, I would really like to become a fan!

Keep posting stuff like this i really like it

2010-12-01T10:41:09.266-06:00

Keep posting stuff like this i really like it

Hi there, Ever since moving to Australia a little...

2010-09-09T12:48:51.835-05:00

Hi there,

Ever since moving to Australia a little over 5 years ago, my husband and I have actually missed buying in those massive retail clothes shops located in America. In unique, we loved purchasing at Gap. It didn't take us long to realize that Gap Clothing did not exist right here in Sydney, let alone Australia! We have just a little one, and I can't even start to tell you guys how cheap Gap is for babies every one of the way up to adults. Well... We have a remedy for you. We decided to start up a blog writing concerning the recent trends of Gap in the US. You'll be able to stay on top with the latest fashion, styles, and colours whilst reading through our posts each and every week. Not only that, but we've found individuals hidden areas where it is possible to in fact purchase Gap outfits the following in Australia! I bet you didnt know that was even probable :)

Anyway, if there is any info you may need on Gap, or any other significant clothes retailer within the US, please allow us know.

Let us know if you have any great ideas for new blog posts!

Let us show you how to find [url=http://www.gapclothing.com.au]Gap Clothing[/url] in Australia

I have my own checking account and we share a savi...

2007-08-04T08:26:00.000-05:00

I have my own checking account and we share a savings/checking account. We had a shared account for 5 years, but this seems to work better for me. I feel like I am not being scrutinized for my spending habits and I have actually done a better job of controlling them. I never thought we would have seperate accounts, but it works for us!

(sorry for any spelling errors on my comment)

My husband and I have seperate accounts and while ...

2007-08-01T13:01:00.000-05:00

My husband and I have seperate accounts and while our set-up is rather non traditional, it works for us (for now). While not terrible with money, he has a different idea of how much to save and to spend. I will admit to being an over saver. To solve the problem we have seperate accounts for our money. Most of the bills are paid out of his and he saves and spends what he is comfortable with. I on the other hand, can save without limits and don't feel terrible about spending what little money I do (I'm a guilty spender). In the end, he reaps the benefits of my savings, has a happier wife who doesn't nag about his purchases and I feel more secure about our financial situation.

Where in the world are you ladies finding things, ...

2007-07-31T20:08:00.000-05:00

Where in the world are you ladies finding things, er, all of your things for under $20, or $12, etc.? I might need some actual 'attend the shop with me' assistance! I definitely am a clothes-horse, but I am way into quality and non-trend, thus I have shoes, jeans, sweaters, and jackets that I have had for years 5-10, and wear them like crazy. But lately I mostly spend on the kids, for clothes, summer camps, museum/zoo passes, etc. I really try to stick to a budget, which is very loosely based, but I think no matter how little or how much moolah you have, you've got to have a budget. I think I learned that from the church pamphlet (original). I am certainly no angel (I had a naughty naughty card, which only very recently discovered and immediately paid off by dh) but I am trying harder (I have a lot of hobbies, so you wouldn't know it, but I shop around like crazy for bigger ticket items (>$100). And I like the tip to discuss any purchase >$100 with your dh. One of my qualms about my dh is seriously how cheap he is, it really enerves me a lot of times, and always have, but I originally decided to overlook it - its still tough - but I made the right choice overall.

"Chided" is such an ugly word. I like to think of ...

2007-07-31T19:49:00.000-05:00

"Chided" is such an ugly word. I like to think of it as mildly amused at how you can have so many shoes and black shirts. I mean isn't black just black any way you look at it? It's just the absence of any color -- as far as Mr. Borgeson taught us in science. But then again what do I know -- or even Mr. Borgeson for that matter?

whew! you leave for a little swim and things get h...

2007-07-31T16:46:00.000-05:00

whew! you leave for a little swim and things get heated.

first, i have it on the highest authority that no one meant to single anyone out with their comments.

second, i'm not worried about any of you having spending problems. clearly, you're all on top of your finances if you have any sort of system worked out.

speaking of that, anyone want to make me a budget? $50 a month for enchilada sauce is a need, i tell you!

All this writing seems to have made me have a 'spe...

2007-07-31T16:22:00.000-05:00

All this writing seems to have made me have a 'spending problem'. Like Katie, I don't have a spending problem, I do go to the store too often and purchase groceries that we don't always need. I haven't sent my family into financial ruins by any means. The account helps me budget, not my husband, that's the bottom line.

Okay- I guess I am not a 'big girl' because I am j...

2007-07-31T16:16:00.000-05:00

Okay- I guess I am not a 'big girl' because I am just learning about finances. We have been married for almost 11 years and in the last couple of months I had an epiphany(??) of sorts and felt it was time to put ME on a budget and really find out how much I was spending. Before then- I was going to CostCo almost every other day- and getting everything my heart desired. Saying that- I am really not a 'Big Spender'- I don't care about name brands- and I am always buying things on sale, etc. etc. My line to my husband was always; "It was such a great deal- I couldn't pass it up!" But as you all know- that adds up and it would be probably more wise to spend $100 on a great pair of shoes then $20 on 10 pairs of okay shoes ("but they were such a great deal") So I approached my dh and told me to put me on a budget and let me in on our finances... So now I have my own account and every two weeks he or I deposit my set amount into my account. It is so much better for our relationship- because if there happens to be something that doesn't fit into my budget- we sit down and discuss it with eachother and I am not feeling guilty. BTW- he is also on 'a budget' and is accountable for what he spends.. But I am definitely who spends the most money...

I think I can understand where Engineer is coming ...

2007-07-31T16:12:00.000-05:00

I think I can understand where Engineer is coming from. Years back, before I even knew my husband, my FIL had to take my MIL off his account. She would spend every available penny and racked up tons of credit card debt. He couldn't afford it anymore, so he got her a separate checking account and gave her a monthly allowance to pay for all of her needs.....gas, electric, water, phone, house payments, bills, and a little extra for spending money. Because of that it helped her to stay "in check". She was responsible for her money.

When Ryan and I got married he kind of assumed that THAT was how it was supposed to be. But I put my foot down. I've always been of the assumption that "What's his is mine, what's mine is his." The separate accounts thing just didn't fly with me. I wanted everything to be shared, as well as open and honest. And just like Mr. Dub and other husbands out there, he keeps me in check with his "do you really need that?" routine. I've also found that I end up saying the same things to him. We share everything. We both pay the bills, we both know the passwords to accounts. It just works for us to share in the financial responsibility.

With that said, I believe that everyone needs to do what is best for them and their marriage as far as finances go. My in-laws were much happier with the separate accounts, and I can't judge them on that....or anyone else for that matter. I think as long as you are being open and honest about what you spend your money on....even if you get a monthly allowance or have a separate account....it leaves no room for secrets or errors.

As for us, we are far from perfect. In fact we really need to learn how to budget better. We get all of our bills in on time and we avoid going into debt at all costs. We are working on it, and I think it is a noble goal to keep working on something in a marriage - no matter what it is!

So hilari,
I'm not exactly sure how you expect ...

2007-07-31T16:11:00.000-05:00

So hilari,
I'm not exactly sure how you expect me to react, I'm not sure that the criticism you threw out was "taking it easy". I would have to say it was a little on the judgmental side. I was in no way passing judgment in my comment on anyone but myself. I surely don't need yours.

engineer,
take it easy.

2007-07-31T15:54:00.000-05:00

engineer,
take it easy.

hilari,
I'm sure in your closet there are thing...

2007-07-31T15:35:00.000-05:00

hilari,
I'm sure in your closet there are things you are not "a big girl" about. I certainly didn't divulge my weakness to have you tell me to grow up. Like I said, I'm working on it, on my own and with help. Are you trying to say you never need help in any shape or form?

Geez, you really know how to get people to comment...

2007-07-31T15:31:00.000-05:00

Geez, you really know how to get people to comment on your blog! I think the most I've ever had is 7! :)
As for money, I have most of the control, we have a joint account, a savings acct (in my name) and each have our own acct as well. And let's just say, with my husband's reputation for bad spending before I knew him, I am the only one with the credit cards, but he has one in my name that he is allowed to use if i tell him he can. I make the most money, so I pay the bills. I am looking forward to the day when this changes!

but i LOVE a bargain and sometimes i just need that extra lift that only a new outfit can give (but I no longer shop at Banana Republic, its more like whatever is at Ross, TJMaxx, or on a really good sale rack!) And I am not greedy, I usually buy something for my hubby too - of equal value usually. And I have a bad tendency of buying extravagant gifts for special occasions, or just because. But most large purchases are discussed before hand.

Its interesting how spending habits change as we move through life. I spend more money on clothes for my cute little boy than I do for myself (and I can't fit into my old clothes still, so sorry if i offend people by wearing the few things I have that fit me and are not maternity clothes!)

i hate clothes shopping so when i do go, my husban...

2007-07-31T14:25:00.000-05:00

i hate clothes shopping so when i do go, my husband will let me. not so in any other area of my purchases. i'm like janaya, i can shop fast and make quick decisions while my husband is trapsing through the ailes just comparing prices (i compare, but quickly).

i have two sisters who cannot make decisions about purchases within 30 minutes. i'm talking "I just need to go back to these three stores to see the things I have on hold one more time. . ." this KILLED me growing up.

my husband pays the consequences of their actions now because i'm in and out without making the very best decisions.

i like saving money, but would rather shop fast and efficiently, especially now with two kids who make those grocery store trips that much longer.

we've had so many fights about money i can't even count. but we also lay in bed at night for hours talking about how we could even fathom having an affair (we seriously go into weird details because we don't understand it).

or remembering good times from when we were friends and stuff we loved about when we got together. we still talk long into the night only to regret it the next morning after only getting 3 hours sleep (just like the college days).

i prefer a huge blow out about money now and then to the amazingness that is our regular relationship.

having typed that all out, it sounds ridiculous, but i love it!

great topic, as always!

One day Brendan will actually finish school and on...

2007-07-31T12:50:00.000-05:00

One day Brendan will actually finish school and one day we will have an actual income to spend.

Until then, I try to restrain my retail urges -- I am definitely the big spender in the family.

If I know there is a great sale going on where I might over indulge (like babyGap or Pier 1) I drag my husband along to be the voice of reason.

Hot topic of my life, hello.

I am the num...

2007-07-31T12:35:00.000-05:00

Hot topic of my life, hello.

I am the numero uno bill payer, tax doer, money saver and budget-extraordinaire... it's my passion. I am an accountant in my professional life, so it comes really naturally. My husband and I have been married for two years, and this is how we work our finances:
I have our main account with all the savings accounts. He is on the account, with a debit card and such. All the bills are paid out of this checking, and all the savings accounts are under this account number also. I believe in saving for what I want, or what our family needs. We have savings accounts for our son's college (529), holiday savings account for birthdays and holidays, travel savings accounts for vacations, taxes and repairs accounts for unexpected tire changes, tickets and registration renewal, general savings and savings for home down payment. All of these accounts are 'paid' on a bi monthly basis, and the money seems to just add really quickly. This way, there is a transfer made when something is bought from the savings to the checking, and so your budget stays on track. I am not a spender. I feel bad when I spend money outside of the monthly expenses that we have. My husband on the other hand thinks that an extra dollar not spent on bills is to be spent. IT DRIVES ME TO INSANITY. We have compromised, and he has a different account that money goes into, and that is his spending account. It works out perfect for us, because he is also SOOOO much better about saving, and actually is much more selective in what he buys. Some people may think that this is really juvenile to give him a separate account for spending, but it works perfect for us, because I am able to keep the budget exactly where it needs to be. We don't have any credit cards. We use open loans on vehicles and such to create consistency with our credit. I agree with Rachel that Finances can be a HUGE stress on marriage, and we have found the PERFECT way to eliminate that stress. It's worked so far!!!

i think whatever works for each couple is fine exc...

2007-07-31T12:06:00.000-05:00

i think whatever works for each couple is fine except that as an adult if you have a "spending problem" learn how to not. instead of just relying on your husband. hello, what if something happens to your husband or any other unforeseen incident..... i say learn how to be a big girl and take care of life.

janaya,

take out foot.

trust me, yo...

2007-07-31T12:01:00.000-05:00

janaya,

take out foot.

trust me, you weren't even close to saying something offensive or biased.

leave that to me.

mrs. dub

i've decided i want to take back my control issues...

2007-07-31T11:30:00.000-05:00

i've decided i want to take back my control issues comment. BECAUSE i thought about it for about 30 more seconds and realized that the reason i don't like the idea of an allowance is because I have control issues! haha.

open mouth... insert foot.

I started out handling all the finances when we fi...

2007-07-31T11:24:00.000-05:00

I started out handling all the finances when we first got married. I did that until we adopted our first child. I was tired. So I asked my husband to handle the finances for awhile. He works in finance by profession, so we are now budgeted out the wazoo, which is good, but I allocated funds differently. I know the agreed upon budget and stick within it and we both have to agree on large purchases (more than $200) before making them. Like others said, I'm not a big spender (except when it comes to my kids...that is where I have to watch myself!)

Truthfully, my husband does all he can to make sure I get the basics to keep me feeling good (regular hair salon visits, a new outfit here and there, a dinner out once a week, etc.) So I can't complain about his minutely detailed budgets.

My parents have usually had separate accounts. I don't get it, but it works for them.

I have a separate account as well that my husband ...

2007-07-31T11:12:00.000-05:00

I have a separate account as well that my husband deposits money into each month. It's good for me, it keeps me in check. I actually have to (kind of) budget that way. I know for a lot of women they are already good at this without the separate account, but we all have weaknesses, mine is buying too much. I am working on it, with the help of this separate account, of course. It's kind of like a diet.

My husband and I are similar to the rest of you (h...

2007-07-31T11:06:00.000-05:00

My husband and I are similar to the rest of you (he makes the money and I manage it). But I think that the way we both are comes from our parents. When I grew up, my parents seemed to have plenty of money for whatever we needed. It didn't seem like there was a lot of comparison shopping or penny pinching. My husband's parents didn't have as large of an income and they only purchased the necessities. So now my husband doesn't have a problem buying things we need, but he REALLY takes his time to research it and really get the best bargin (I am referring to big purchases -- not like he researches groceries). I am not a crazy spender, but I don't have a problem going to Target and spending a quick $150 on what I think are ALL necessities. Luckily, we both TRY to save, although we aren't always great at it.

The point: I think people often mimic what they grew up with.

Comments on musings and misadventures: HTT - $$ Edition

I just added your blog site to my blogroll, I pray...

Do you people have a facebook fan page? I looked f...

Keep posting stuff like this i really like it

Hi there, Ever since moving to Australia a little...

I have my own checking account and we share a savi...

My husband and I have seperate accounts and while ...

Where in the world are you ladies finding things, ...

"Chided" is such an ugly word. I like to think of ...

whew! you leave for a little swim and things get h...

All this writing seems to have made me have a 'spe...

Okay- I guess I am not a 'big girl' because I am j...

I think I can understand where Engineer is coming ...

So hilari,I'm not exactly sure how you expect ...

engineer,take it easy.

hilari,I'm sure in your closet there are thing...

Geez, you really know how to get people to comment...

i hate clothes shopping so when i do go, my husban...

One day Brendan will actually finish school and on...

Hot topic of my life, hello. I am the num...

i think whatever works for each couple is fine exc...

janaya,take out foot. trust me, yo...

i've decided i want to take back my control issues...

I started out handling all the finances when we fi...

I have a separate account as well that my husband ...

My husband and I are similar to the rest of you (h...

So hilari,
I'm not exactly sure how you expect ...

engineer,
take it easy.

hilari,
I'm sure in your closet there are thing...

Hot topic of my life, hello.

I am the num...

janaya,

take out foot.

trust me, yo...