I think if you look at the McGraw article on managing money thre's good tips in there too... particularly about having a limit on purchases that cost a lot... like big screen TV's... any large item purchases has to fall into the budget and be discussed as a team.. etc
If you put a plan together lke that it may help too...
If he's a half decent engineer he will appreciate structure and support you on it
Yes, and I'm sure he'd appreciate me taking the lead on it as well. BUT... doesn't it all still boil down to him wanting the relationship first? Don't we have to cross that hurdle before the real issues can be resolved???