Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Chatting with Hubby

While Hubby was on holidays last week, we had a few conversations around money. We talked about what our individual goals are, and our collective one too. We talked about how far we've come, and where we are going financially. We talked about our 'plan' - to have me working full-time (eventually & hopefully) for the new company and to have him take over our/my business so that he can quit his job at the hell-hole.

To get us started, one of us would find an episode of Til Debt Do Us Part playing a rerun on some channel or another. We would both then sit down to watch, and then comment about said couple during the commercials. Our commentary would lead us into talking about our own situation, comparisons and contrasts, leading us into the heavier parts of our budget and goals.

Here's some of the highlights of our conversations.

Hubby will be consumer debt free in less than six months. It's been a long road, but we've gotten there one pay cheque at a time. He's paid off an enormous loan, a credit card, a vehicle loan and is down to the last credit card, which is under $1000. (These were debts he incurred prior to meeting me.)

While watching, Gail had said,"Men die and women get sick. That's just what happens when we get older." I used this to help explain my reasoning for putting as much as I can into my RRSPs and TFSA (at least that's the plan anyway). I reminded him that I have no pension to see me through in my 'golden years' and although I plan to work well past 65, I'm likely going to be sick and alone. He'll have died, and I will only have myself to rely on. And be damned if I'm going to be a bag lady, pushing a grocery cart around and eating cat food straight out of the tin! That's why I have to save for my future!

We've both become content - with what we have, of where we live, and with who we are. Yes, we both still have goals and aspirations, but if not much changes, we're okay with that too. We have sacrificed and will continue to do so for the sake of our sanity (or what we have left of it anyway).

I admitted that I may never be fully out of debt. That was difficult for me to admit. I have traded (most) of my consumer debt for other types of debt (read tax debt) and the numbers are astronomical. It's a two steps forward, one step back kinda thing. I still make mistakes with how to handle my money, but overall I'm doing better. But now I am aware, I have a plan and I'm working the plan. Better than being an ostrich.

During his holiday, we spent a lot of time together and talked about lots of things. It was good just having some time to reconnect and be together. Now that he's back to work, the kids are home this week. Time to spend reconnecting with each of them. :)

3 comments:

  1. Sounds like a wonderful time together to talk and learn more about where you are and where you want to go.

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  2. In families there is always the saver the other is the spender, if you can work together it brings balance in your marriage. As I say this my hubby is on a mancation and is using the heck out of the debt card, grrrr he has cash that he was to use, what the heck!!! Congrats one having the time and open mind to work together on your goals. Hubby and I will be talking $$ when he gets home!!!!

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  3. Every couple needs to do something like this when spending time together.

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