Does Your Husband “Get” Your Savings Endeavors? ~ A Personal Story
First of all, I know I have male readers and single readers too. I don't mean to imply only wives save money. I'm sure you have a similar story, just different characters. :)
After going out to dinner without the kids last night, I convinced my husband to run to Albertsons with me for a quick shopping trip. I failed to mention that I also planned on doing a speedy "research mission" while I was in there. (That's what I call price gathering for Bargain Believer, which he knows about, but has never experienced.) :)
The poor guy was following me around as I was speed walking up to products, checking the shelf tag, and then rushing off to the next item. This wasn't one of my longer, more leisurely browsing missions. I was looking for specific items and prices. At one point, I said, "Nope." I meant it wasn't a good deal and wouldn't make my list. He said, "Man, you're striking out tonight. They don't have anything you want!" Oops . . . I forgot to explain the dual purpose of our stop. I wasn't actually buying most of the items I was looking for.
I did end up buying four packs of raspberries and eight Proctor & Gamble products. He's not totally in touch with how much tampons, Pantene, and deodorant can add up to, but I humored myself and said, "These raspberries (97¢ each) are going to cost more than all the other items combined." His comment was, "Sure. I'll believe it when I see it." I did a quick recalculation and told him I was certain, $1 less. He always gets to hear my stories about something going wrong, so he still wasn't convinced . . . until I had the total. Yep, success!
His reward for enduring Albertsons . . . onto produce price matching at Walmart with me! Amazingly, we left with only fruits and vegetables. We rarely come out of Walmart without something extra like donuts, if he's along. Maybe he was too full or I killed his appetite for spending another few seconds in the store. :)
Sometimes he gives me too much credit, though. Years ago, I would come home, display all my purchases and then ask him to guess how much I spent. I rarely do that anymore since it's demoralizing. He eventually started guessing something like a dime when I had a bajillion items. Where's the fun in that?
Is your husband skeptical about your deals or is he amazed and in awe? Do you have a funny story? I guess I have the combo man who keeps me on my toes. Thankfully, he supports my savings endeavors.
That is very cute, Juli. You both sound like pretty good sports and that goes a long way in marriage, right? :)
Yes, I married a wonderful man who is a great sport. Thankfully, we can laugh over money and not fight about it! :)
So I have a husband who is as absorbed into couponing as I am!!! After every awesome shopping trip we set up all our goodies and take a picture. We then send that picture to every relative we know and ask them to guess how much we spent. They are ALWAYS in awe!!!!! We've been couponing since May and I recently had to quit my job but we really have not been affected because of our 'stockpile' and our continuing coupon addiction. Thank you for all your help!!!!!!!!
Allee, that's great that you quit a job without financial fear. That's amazing, actually! I'm not sure if it's good or bad that you're both addicted, though. :) Hopefully, you have some agreed splurging times too so it doesn't get to burdensome — at least I like those from time to time. Try not to fight over those coupons! :) Great job saving!
LOL, Juli you and your husband sound so much like my husband and I. He is very supportive of the savings coupon provides, but still enjoys giving me a hard time. He has become too good at guessing how much I spend or will just say something really low to irritate me. I tell him he has to at least double whatever he is thinking just to amuse me. I am so blessed to have a husband who works hard so I can stay home with and raise/teach our kids, and he really is thankful that I do my best to make the most of what he brings home. I will have to show him your post tonight. He thinks its funny how much you and I seem to have in common. Thanks again for all you do, and thank your husband for us to.
Yes, the low guesses are intentional most of the time. If I say it was a quarter, he'll say, "What? They didn't pay you?" He likes to harass me, so I like to remind him about those cashiers that have told me that my husban's lucky to have me! May he never forget it! :) I'm lucky to have him too, that's for sure!!
I like to joke when I'm going out and say something like, "Bye, I'm going to spend a lot of money." He says something like, "Okay, have fun." He knows it's more painful for me than him . . . and he's right. The good news is if I do "spend a lot of money" he's okay with that too. They say finances often tear apart a marriage, but I'm blessed to say that I'm fairly confident it won't. We have a similar view of money — conserve it when practical, but enjoy it too. I hope we have that in common too! :)
But I will add that he will sometimes go coupon hunting for me so that I can stay home with the kids. So, he is tolerant, but he definitely has his limits now that we've been doing this for 2+ yrs.
Janae, sounds like our husbands are similar. He'll do quick, simple shopping trips for me if there's a need, but I'm usually the bargain gatherer. I'm thankful he's not too embarrassed to whip out a coupon for lunch with the guys from work either.
I hope you're enjoying life with the new little one . . . well, maybe not so little anymore. Time flies. I can't remember when I read that you were having one. Enjoy the little stage since it sure disappears quickly — good and bad parts to that!
Yep, my husband doesn't humor me on the guessing anymore. He does that, he just guesses that it was free or whatever and yoiu're right… it's sad, because it ruins the fun or making them guess. :( Hahaha!
Usually if I send him to do a minimal shopping trip for me (with or without coupons) he always comes back with a bottle of soda. I usally gasp and ask "How much was that"?!? I'm not very tolerant of impulse purchases I guess.