Rat-A-Tat asks: "Who Makes More Money, You or Gary?"

Oh, easy. Gary. He's makes 30% more than I do.

Such was not always the case. When we divided our money into separate accounts we were making almost the exact same amount. I'd get a raise and gloat that I made more, then he'd get a raise and rub my nose in it. But soon he switched companies a few times and got the big job-hopping bumps. Since then he's embraced responsibility, while I've dumped pitchers of ice water in responsibility's lap. Of course, after the incomes shifted  the division of the bills went to  66/33. 

Now, for a while at the beginning of our marriage you'd never have known we made the same amount. I am ashamed to say there was a time I would say things like, "We'll buy a new mattress when we scrape up enough money." I remember that exact quote because a friend snorted, "What do you mean, 'scrape up enough money?' Give me a break!"

I quoted the exchange to Mom, who nodded wisely and said, "'Poor mouth'. Your father Jerry did the same thing. He and his parents could have all the money in the world and still talk about how broke they were."

Since then I've tried to adopt Mom's attitude, which is "If you have money for minimal food, shelter and clothing, the rest is wealth. If the rest goes to paying for the bills for stuff you have, then you're still wealthy, you're just wealthy in things instead of cash."

Gary has no problems with Rich Mouth or Poor Mouth. He has Dumb Mouth. No idea how much is in his account at any time. I just asked him. He checked the balance online. He was off by 200%.  Yep, he just  asked me to float him some cash. Thanks, Rat-a-Tat.

Comments

[Catherine]

AHAHAHA. I love this post. It amuses me greatly.

[Christy]

I'm like Gary (I make 30% or more--too lazy to do the math--than my husband) and I have no idea how much is in my account at any given moment. I don't have a Honda Seizure, though. (I saw one the other day and I swear the license plate read: Fit. Did I comment about that already?)

[Candy]

I relate in so many ways.

I have a friend whose ex-husband is a dentist. When they were married she had every possible luxury; when he left her, she did nothing but complain about how broke she was. She paid cash for a new Honda Accord three months later, and took her daughter to Galapagos for a graduation gift.

My husband and I keep separate checking accounts. He makes most of the money, I pay ALL the bills. It sucks. He never knows how much money we have or how many bills there are to be paid. I think I prefer it that way.

[sue]

:)

[Becs]

I have a stunning amount of assets to my name. (Well, stunning to me, anyway.) It's mostly because of my house. Just because I have $ X in the asset column doesn't mean I can afford to take the cats to the vet just for regular check-ups or take myself out for a nice dinner. (No, the diner doesn't count.)

You smug marrieds are living in a different world than we singletons.
Sincerely, Bridget Jones

[TheQueen]

Catherine - Learn little grasshopper.
Christy - No! Hot Mom recommended GRNDML and PETIML today.
Candy - Hmm, too much temptation. I would give Gary only a pittance and keep the rest for myself.
sue - ;->
Becs - You are rich in cats! I covetr Dylan in particular.

[Becs]

Q - as well you should. Right now, He's asleep in my lap - purring. Last night as I was cooking dinner, the smell of it was so tanatalizing (buffalo - who knew it would make the cats go into frenzy?) that Dylan lept from the table onto my back. All claws extended. And I could hear the little pop! pop! of my skin being shredded as he fell down. That's my boy.

[TheQueen]

Becs - Ow, and, buffalo? You all eat crazy up there by the coast.