“Remember when we would sit down every Saturday morning, at the dining room table, in the house I bought for $27,000, nearly 20 years ago, and go over the bills?”, I asked.
“Yep, I had a great system,” he replies. It was more than a budget. It factored in payment timing, which helped cash flow. He has always been good with numbers.
“Remember how much we would argue? I’m sure it’s the reason we stopped those Saturday morning meetings.”
He says, “I don’t remember arguing.” Odd how his memory is different than mine or perhaps our definitions.
Money wasn’t invisible back then. It was visually something to argue (strong passionate debates) about. 10 years later we bought a truck that cost more than my first house.
Somewhere along the way towards our so called financial success we lost sight of our money. Arguments happened after the spending rather than before.
Just the other day I said to my husband, “Can you believe how much money we saved this month? Wow, just imagine how much more savings we’d have if we started this years ago.”
No sense crying over spent money. We’re on the right track now. Today we own all of our cars outright and nearly have the credit cards paid off. They (credit card companies) fear we are nearly out of their grasp, so in response, they mailed me an envelope of blank checks harnessed with an increase in spending power. I wonder if they know what they are up against, the power of an individual with a vision and the drive to do what it takes to get out of debt.
We’re back on a budget. We’re also back to arguing before the spending. It’s a practice tied to a much bigger vision and purpose.
Contrary to popular belief money troubles are not a top reason for divorce. And statistics show that marriages that last 20 years you are unlikely to end in divorce. September 25 of this year will be our 18th anniversary. Money, sex, where to live, how to raise the kids, convenient roommates or passionate lovers. It’s the things we’re NOT discussing that are putting our relationships and happiness in jeopardy.
Welcoming the next 2 years filled with over turned rocks, heated discusses and fulfilled dreams. Sailing into rough waters fully exposed. It’s worth the risk.
