Got a new board

[leslisa]

My hubby bought me a nw wetsuit, a new board (Gatorboard - Ricky Gonzalez 138), and new clothes this weekend. What a wonderful man.

Oh and kudos to Performance in Orlando. We finally got a helmet for my little guy and I am thrilled. They were so nice about helping us (as always). They always talk to my 5 yo when he is buying stuff and ask him what he likes, etc. It really helps.

[indywakechica]

Must have been something in the air this weekend making the hubbies feeling nicer than average and loose in the wallet

[MissJade]

this might sounds like a weird question and I hope it doesn't sound offensive, but do your husbands control your money? I'm not married, so I don't know the first thing about finances with a significant other, but I'm very independant and not sure what it will be like when I do get married someday. It's something I've thought about in the past when I was in serious relationships and thinking about marriage, but we've never talked about it. I can't imagine having to ask my husband for money...

[leslisa]

No, he doesn't control the money, we control it together. I have a difficult time spending money on myself. When I was single, I didn't have any issue with blowing a whole paycheck on something so long as I could cover my bills. When I got together with someone long term, I think I started to feel more responsible about things. Add into that that when I had kids I had to really cut corners and work harder for them to have things I wanted them to have. So usually if I want something really badly, especially if it is expensive, he will have to buy because I won't lay out the cash for it.

He is the same way. I bought him his Spec 3 high performance clutch. He deserved it but he wouldn't lay out the cash.

What is funny is that when we were buying my 5 yo's set up neither of us blinked when we spent the cash. Or when we spent $150 on a dress for my daughter, same thing, she needs it for prom/homecoming/whatever, we buy it.

Out of courtesy and respect, if I am going to make a big purchase, I clear it with him first. We are on a budget. We aren't poor or rich, prob just average middle class. Something like the clutch and the board had to come out of savings. That being said, he does the same with me.

Other people I know, they keep their finances separate and they each pay certain bills and have a common fund for the kids. We tried this but we both like splurging on the kids so it didn't work out very well.

Lisa

[krit]

MissJade ~

I am like you - very independent. My husband and I have separate bank accounts and do our own thing when it comes to buying things. It works well for us. When we graduated from college we weren't married and thus had separate accounts, and just kept it that way after we got married. We are both engineers so neither one of us is dependent on the other financially.

We also do not have kids yet so that keeps things easier for now.

[indywakechica]

I'd say I'm independent too...was with attitude before getting married. "Ain't no way going to ever rely on any man. I do what I want" *insert neck roll with 2 snaps* I still am but we work as a team. He's fantastic with finances and budgets with spreadsheets and all kinds of stuff. I am terrible at that stuff so he does it and I don't mind at all. It's all give and take...we work with our strengths and weaknesses. Just like I don't let him get anywhere near the laundry He does most of the cooking. It's just whatever works for you.

[MissJade]

That makes lots of sense. I suppose that when you're with someone who you love and who loves you, you know that they have your best interest in mind, so it's not as hard to let go.

leslisa, what you described is like my parents. The NEVER spent any money on themselves and always clipped coupons, but never hesitated to give me piano lessons, ice skating lessons, etc... never appreciated it when I was young, but it really touches me now when I think about it. I don't know how they do it. Now that both their kids are out of college, they are taking some time and money to enjoy themselves a little more, thank goodness. Bless their hearts Your kids will feel the same way.

[JRock*Girl]

leslisa, Sweet! Your stoked. Performance is awsome. I wish we had a place like that around herre. Let us know how the board is when you try it. What kind of wetsuit did you get?

[leslisa]

Wetsuit is an O'neill. Big thing for me is that it was the correct length. It's hard as heck to find a wetsuit that fits me cause I'm only 5'2" with long legs. It's last year's model so it doesn't look "as good", but who cares, it fits. I was about dancing . It's warm and I'm happy.

Lisa