Barrybran IV - Three Years Forward, 30 Years Back

[Barrybran]

Lol at the Katy Perry comment. The fact she posted it on Facebook was a definite "don't you dare ask me" type of deal. Mind reading, I know, but my wife has gone colder on me the past two days so I know where I stand with that one :-)

I must admit, I do have money at the forefront of my mind most of the time. It's not healthy but I am proud of what I've been able to do with regards to saving over the years. My wife and I still have separate accounts. We never got around to joining them and I made it work in my favour because my wife isn't a saver and I am. The car is a good 2-6 months away but I need to save in order to bring the loan amount down. I also have my brother's wedding to save for in 12 months time. I am copping a LOT of criticism about my attitude towards my brother's wedding because I'm looking at the money side of things (3k for flights, plus accommodation, plus rental car, plus food and entertainment) while my wife and parents have the attitude that "we'll be right". I guess the way I would describe myself with money is more responsible than obsessed but I know my family would describe me the other way round. I have runs on the board and they don't though. As per DB mantra, do what works so I'm sticking to MY plan when it comes to money.

I'll think about it but I'm not sure it'll help. I often open up a spreadsheet to cost things I'm interested in and I'll probably have a go at one for a potential footy trip (I may have mapped out when my team plays in Melbourne already :p) but I know the costs already; a couple hundred for fuel or slightly higher for flights, another couple of hundred for accommodation and then food and spending. You're looking at $750-1k just for a one-man long-weekend trip and that to me seems irresponsible when you've got a family. Even my wife going to a concert would mean a good $300-400 and that's assuming she doesn't find the shopping centres!

As I said in the previous post, I want to be able to do these things, I want to feel comfortable with my wife doing these things but I do hold very strong values regarding money and responsibility. I just don't want to be seen as a stick in the mud for being a grown up.