18 answers

Money

My husband and I have been fighting about money a lot lately. He thinks I spend too much driving half an hour to see my family and going out to lunch once every week or two. This is all I do for myself. I don't shop, I don't get my hair done, I don't eat out all of the time. I waitress three nights a week and go to school three nights a week (my masters in education). We certainly do not have money problems. I was in an accident when I was younger which paid for our wedding, a trip to Europe, a down payment on our home, my bachellor's degree and now my master's degree. We both have a batchellor's and NO COLLEGE DEBT. We have PLENTY in savings and several hundred in the checking account. My husband just flipped out because our energy bill was forty dollars more this September than last September. This is simply because I am home on the computer doing my master's project for hours a day and I have to let our two year old watch a movie or TV while I get my work done. I am constantly giving my husband almost everything I make. We are not in any financial trouble, but all he does is yell about bills! I cannot handle the stress anymore. I tell him to be thankful for all we have. We were planning to try for another child in December, but I don't want to have another one of his children if I'm going to be trapped in my home until I get a teaching job. My husband makes just enough money to pay the bills and my money is for extra expenses. We do not live paycheck to paycheck. Lately our fights have gotten almost physical. How do I convince him that we are blessed and we are doing fine? How do I convince him to relax and enjoy life and not stress over money? He is so ungrateful for what financial breaks we do get and ungrateful for the work that I do to further our lives. I feel trapped, unappreciated, and borderline abused and controlled. I did not sign up for this kind of a marriage. Help!

1 mom found this helpful

What can I do next?

So What Happened?™

Last night, we had a talk and I told him that this was not acceptable and that if he does, in fact, ever get physical, that I will be gone the next day and stay with family until we get counseling. We also discussed the equal allowance idea and he's up for that. I made a list of upcoming expenses -- birthdays and holidays and things our son will need and he approved it, so that'll come out of his money. I'm still not sure I want to get pregnant instead of looking for a job because I'm not ready to trust that I won't be trapped a year from now at home with no money and nothing to do... but I do want our kids to be close in age... so we'll see. Thank you for all of your advice. I just needed assurance that I was not the selfish person he was making me out to be. I am not a big spender... I am easy to please. I am just happy we have what we have at this point in our lives together. Oh, and the fighting has always been after our son was in bed and we made sure to be on the lower floor of our home just in case. I'm not giving up on this. I can't let go the idea that my husband is just immature and he needs me to show him how to relax and enjoy life.

Featured Answers

HI there,

Could he be picking fights about money, but really be unhappy about something else? Is the stress of a 2 year old and possibly another one too much for him? Is he getting enough down time for himself weekly? If not, he may just feel overwhelmed and stressed and sometimes men don't know how to deal with their emotions and stress directly. Do you two have any fun time together alone? I have a 2 y.o and a 12 week old and these are things that stress my husband out...we both work full-time and by the time we get dinner reday, eat, get the kids ready for bed, we are exhausted and we can snap and be irritable toward each other b/c small children are a lot of work, especially when you are working or going to school.

You need to have a heart to heart with him and tell him how you are feeling about things and see where it goes and hopefully he can open up too.

Good luck

it sounds like something else is wrong and he is taking it out on you. He sounds like he isn't in control about something and he is trying to get control back. My name is S.. I'm 25 married 2 kids work from home and I do the bills email me sometime and we can talk or get together. email: ____@____.com

More Answers

I'm glad things were talked out

tread lightly my friend- i was once in your shoes. if your fights are almost physical now, they almost certainly WILL become physical. i was there, i didnt think it could get worse- it did. your child doesnt need to grow up in a home where his father treats his mother like that- he will learn to treat you like that. get out while you can. trust me. or perhaps he could go to counseling with you- get someone else involved to watch over you- dont do it alone like i did. please think long and hard about your situation and what your priorities are. good luck and be careful.
C.

hi My name is M.. First does he spend money on things he likes. Do you take care of his children,clean his house and make sure all the bills are paid.and does he now of a thing call inflation.........all our bills have gone up that is what happens when the prices of things go up. you have the right to go out for a peice of mind and i give you alot of credit for doing so.I sit in this house all the time and work 50 to 60 hrs. a week. I have no life. don't let him do that to you .your not hurting no-body by spending time with family and your not going out to clubs or running up all kinds off bills. I think he is just jelious that your out with your family instead of him....Tell him if he wants he can come and You have the right to enjoy your-self every now and again....

Dear S.,

I have read quite a few of your questions, and to be honest, I am a bit concerned about you. Please check out the following website for more information www.sojourner-house.org I recommend that you look at the "check your relationship" section.

If you feel that it is a bit close to home, please contact somebody! I am concerned that he is controlling your money, and that he is also trying to control where you are going.

It sounds like he is starting to become threatening, and you might want to consider contacting somebody about setting up a safety plan for you and your son.

Be safe,
M.

Hi S.,

It sounds like your in a tough situation which is getting tougher. Can you convince him to go to marriage/couples counseling? At this point it seems like you could really use a mediator to work things out - to keep it safe and respectable. You might be able to sell him on the idea by saying that he can complain all he wants about you there and the therapist can help find solutions. (Believe me, the therapist will pick up on the dynamic immediately and help you both wade through it together).

If you can't do that then you need to start thinking about safety issues. Just for some information and support, you might want to try a local women's hotline for domestic violence (even if it isn't physical). Those folks are free and supportive and very informative.

Good luck.

R. B.

Have you had serious calm talks about this with him? he sounds like he has a lot to be thankful for....Hopefully someone with this experience can help you more...but maybe he might need time away from you to see exactly what he has and what he would lose if you two continue to fight and then split up over it. i went through alot with my ex and all this time apart I now realize so many ways we could have changed but its too late....I wish you the best....

hey im 22 years old with all the problems in the world at the same time i have one little one and me and her father have been together for 4 years engaged for 2 and its the same but sumtime we have to go to check to check Mine really cant work that much and i have to takke care of my daughter ... its really up to u if u think that ur not goin anywhere and he works to pay the bills and ur really have notthin to worry about then u mihgt want to think about tellin him that u will leave if it dont stop.. if he dont stop ... its sumthing that u shouldnt have to worry about.. if ur in it together and its what u BOTH want then he wouldnt be always tellin u other wise and makin u feel bad bc u go to ur parents or out at all.... I dont no ANYTHING at all so I no how it feels but I have never been to give him all of my money when i have it .......

it just sumthin that sux.. if u have AIM (im ) me at jill3584 or Yahoo my sn is MomOfBeast612 or e-mail ____@____.com... If u want to talk more...

~*J. *~

Finances are always a source of marital trouble. No matter what the situation is, it can be stressful. I am sure that this may be a hard topic to bring up, but have you ever considered counseling? This would be a great way to have some one outside the relationship bring another voice and opinion to the table. If what you are saying is all true, maybe your husband will get your point hearing it from some one who doesn't know you guys directly. Good Luck.

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