Trying to save my M. W not really trying though.

[ClingingToHope]

When I moved out, I took just $200 with me. Then for the next month I transferred out $400 and left her the rest. I was staying with a friend who wasn't charging me anything.

Then he laid down the law and said I couldn't stay there forever and I needed to start saving some real money for an apartment.

That day I told W that we'd have to work out some agreement and for the first time I saw some uncertainty in her eyes.

It was fleeting though. I proposed an amount. She never said anything and that's what I've been giving her.

The past three months have been an eye-opener for her. To save money she lowered her life insurance amount. I then let mine lapse since I have some coverage through work. But I then lowered what I was giving her since I was paying half with my child support.

Now she's somehow paid off a $1,200 loan -- even though she said she didn't have a $1,200 retainer to get divorced. Well, I was paying her $55 a month for my share of the loan. We took it out before separating. So I'm going to lower my payment another $25.

We kept the joint accounts so that I could transfer money into her checking. She's never taken anything out of my account yet. I did set up separate accounts at a different bank for my apartment rent money. Just in case ...

Once the finances are set up the WAS can see what they really will be living on.