Quote History Quoted:
I'm broke because I'm a dumbass who didn't go to college in the early 2000's when it was still cheap.
Then I went from one shit job to the other.
While in these shit jobs, I decided racking up debt on trucks, guns and atv's was A-ok.
Then I finally found a decent job.
Then I got married to a woman who has no clue that 2-4= -2.
We both spent money on who the fuck knows what.
Then we had a kid.
Then we bought a house with 2nd kid on the way.
As of last year I decided I was done being a dumbass with money, sold guns, tried to pay down CC debt.
Wife still thinks if you have $100 in your account, you can spend $400.
Our combined income actually is decent for our area with a family of 4, but not with the debt load we have and only 1 person who seems to give a shit about paying it off.
It is what it is and I'll either get the debt paid off or die of a heart attack from stress and working 6+ days a week.
View Quote
@bad2006z71
In your situation, I'd recommend the following:
Set aside a time with the wife after kids have gone to bed to have a very frank conversation about finances.
Tell her that you will be setting up a joint account for monthly bills, and you will be contributing half the amount to cover the bills/estimated grocery expense/child necessities(this one is going to be a crux to agree on) She is responsible for the other half.
Open a second account in your name only for the rest of your paycheck to go into. Encourage her to do the same. Whatever is left over after bills is to be spent however one wished
If you have credit cards with both your names on them, consider a balance transfer to a new CC(with cash back benefits), then cancel that old card. If she opens a new CC in her name, that's her business.
You and I have followed the same path, but I'm no longer married to her, and I now give up a portion of my paycheck each month for the one kid we had. And I only have myself to blame now for any new debt that is accrued.