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I do not tell my wife this, but w/o her contribution to household finances, I'd be eating ramen noodles 6 days out of the week. I was reading the thread about the squeezed middle class on this forum, and no matter what one side or the other side says about the issue, in reality the only thing that matters to most is how their own household is getting on with the economics of it all. So, if you have a partner or housing mate contributing to household expenses, do you think you could shoulder the expenses of your residence and still save money/have some discretionary income, etc. if your were on your own? What I am getting at is that many of us have formed an economic structure dependent upon two incomes for our continued well-being. Those that can maintain a household and have one bread-winner, a big cheers to you, but please I'd rather hear from those that depend upon two incomes. I am interested in how you think things would be if all of a sudden you were on your own financially.
My BF and I are planning to move in together within this year after he proposes. I've been maintaining my apartment without any help for years. When he moves in, it will help of course, but I don't need his income. When we buy something, we will probably need two incomes or else we will not be able to save much money.
A better question would be.. how many people are struggling out there and not getting a roommate?
The lady who wrote the book "Nickel & Dimed" never had one and she struggled. IMO she struggled more because of her poor decisions.
A better question would be.. how many people are struggling out there and not getting a roommate?
The lady who wrote the book "Nickel & Dimed" never had one and she struggled. IMO she struggled more because of her poor decisions.
Most of us would concur, either through experience or common sense(!), that divvying up costs of a household with someone cuts down costs. Those struggling can find a room-mate, if applicable. I have a few family members and friends who go it alone but could substantially lessen their financial burdens if they had a co-resident. They choose not to have a co-resident and kvetch about money. It's their choice.....
Most of us would concur, either through experience or common sense(!), that divvying up costs of a household with someone cuts down costs. Those struggling can find a room-mate, if applicable. I have a few family members and friends who go it alone but could substantially lessen their financial burdens if they had a co-resident. They choose not to have a co-resident and kvetch about money. It's their choice.....
Wow. I learned a new word, kvetch. Cool!
Anyway, yes it is common snense that dividing finances would bring in more money. I thought about it a lot myself. Then, I decided that I would rather have my privacy and the opportunity to do what I want for a little while, rather than a couple of extra dollars. When I get married, that freedom will be lost. So, I have no regrets about choosing to live alone for a few years. It will be coming to an end in the near future anyway
Also, I don't kvetch about money. I save 1/4 of my income and manage to live an okay life.
My whole philosophy is centered around living as minimally as possible and having a very high savings rate.
At first I wanted to buy a home (ie. 3bed/2bath) but now i am just going to go for a studio or 1bedroom. Whichever is cheaper. It is well worth it not having a mortgage payment!
I could get a roommate etc but there is always sacrifices you have to make. For example, you can't have anything very valuable in the home because of getting a potential thief as a roommate. Likewise there are other sacrifices you have to make such as privacy and who you can bring over. Is it worth the cost? IMO, no.
My whole philosophy is centered around living as minimally as possible and having a very high savings rate.
My father always preached to me about saving my money and not buying stuff I did not need. When I was a kid, it did not sink in that much. I wanted things. Now, I see what my father was talking about. Having money saved buys you time when you need it. No ifs, ands,ors, buts about it. The times I had hours at work cut or a lay off happen, I had savings to fall back on to pay bills and allow me time to find work.
I do not tell my wife this, but w/o her contribution to household finances, I'd be eating ramen noodles 6 days out of the week..
How is it that your wife doesn't know this? Do you two discuss finances? It is nothing to be ashamed about. My BF and I know that we can live a better life together than we can apart.
How is it that your wife doesn't know this? Do you two discuss finances? It is nothing to be ashamed about. My BF and I know that we can live a better life together than we can apart.
LOL.
What I don't tell her is that I actually would look forward to eating ramen if it could save me money. She knows my finances and we discuss money and costs of things, etc. I just would not feel comfortable telling her that I depended upon her for income.
If you discuss it and she knows the finances you do not need to tell her - she already knows, lol!
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