How would you react if your partner’s friend called you a “bankrupt husband”? This is the conundrum faced by her 24-year-old Reddit poster.
Here it is what he said happened: A man went to a steakhouse with his wife and her friends for a celebratory dinner. At the end of the meal, his wife demanded that he pay the full $700.
Her rationale? “A man should always pay for his wife and her friends.”
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Redditor refused. He paid $200 for himself and his wife’s meal and immediately left the restaurant. When her wife came home, she screamed at her husband for “humiliating” her wife in front of her friends, and her friends called her husband a “bankrupt husband.” ” he called.
So he asked Reddit: Am I wrong?
One comment summed up the general sentiment. “She didn’t warn him that she would pay him. And put him on the spot. The look on her face was shocked because it was a terrible plan.”
Another added: “This is why people in their 30s hate splitting the tab…Give me the check and you guys can figure out the rest. I got them to pay the rent.”
Disagreements about money are very common in relationships, but if not handled wisely, they can be deal-breakers. No matter which side you fall on in this debate, here’s how to never embarrass your partner at the dinner table.
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It appears that the Reddit poster and his wife did not discuss their financial attitudes or spending habits before this dinner. But this is one conversation you shouldn’t put off. Lack of communication here can lead to scenarios much worse than embarrassing yourself in front of your spouse’s friends.
A significant 64% of respondents told Bread Financial: investigation Earlier this year, they announced they were “financially incompatible” with their partner. But that only leads to further division. financial infidelity — 45% of couple respondents are considering doing something about it.
Of course, knowing the risks of avoiding the topic doesn’t make it easier to talk about it.
The best way to get started liven up the conversation• Keep it casual. No need to open a spreadsheet or call a financial advisor. You and your partner can go for a walk and strike up a conversation. Focus on how you both feel about money and how that affects how you spend it.
Pro tip: This is not a job interview. Don’t just ask your partner questions. You also need to be vulnerable yourself so that you can open up about your thoughts, fears, and hopes about money.
read more: Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now: Turn prime real estate into cash using $100 — Save yourself the headaches of being a landlord.Here’s how to do it
Let’s create a fun fund
It’s important to talk to your partner about saving, budgeting, and investing. But all work and no play can lead to intense after-dinner matches.
Just ask Ramit Sethi, personal finance advisor and host of YouTube’s I Will Teach You to Get Rich.Seti I just saw this situation with a couple on his podcast recently. They saved, invested, and planned carefully, but they were constantly fighting over that $20 purchase on Amazon.
His advice? Let’s shake off the idea of poverty and live a rich life while we still can. He argues that enjoying your hard-earned money is just as important as planning for the future.
However, I am still worried about spending my hard-earned money. “Fun Fund” It might be your solution. Here’s how it works: You and your partner contribute a fixed amount each month to this fund.
When the two of you decide (together) to treat a friend to a night out, you’ll definitely have enough cash to cover it.
change perspective
According to , sharing money is generally good for the health of a marriage. the study Graduated from Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management. The study found that couples who shared money were more likely to think of the money as “ours” rather than “yours/mine,” and as a result, they fought less.
Once you and your partner find common ground about what’s important to you, you can find ways to spend your money in a win-win way.Even if we don’t share the same thing philosophy of moneyReframing money as a tool for building the communal life you want together may make it easier.
If pooling everything seems like too much, that’s okay. You and your partner should discuss what you want to pay jointly and what you want to pay separately. From there, you can figure out how much each person contributes to the joint account each month. You are then free to do whatever you want with the remaining money.
Economic rights and disadvantages in a relationship vary for each couple. Don’t be afraid to ask questions so your spouse’s friends don’t have more of a say than you do.
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This article is for information only and should not be construed as advice. PROVIDED WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND.