What Can You Do When Your Partner Refuses to Save Money?
Are you the responsible one in the family? Do you wish your significant other was just like you when it came to saving money? Unfortunately, you cannot have everything in life that you wished for. If your partner is bad with money and you are tired of telling him or her to straighten out their act, it’s time that you take the matter into your hands and handle it your way. You will have to take on more responsibilities, but saving money charts high on your to-do list. Here is how you become the responsible one:
1. What Can You Control At Home?
If your partner tends to be lazy around the house and forgets to turn off the lights or the TV, you need to become the boss. You will have to keep an eye on your partner’s activity at home. If he/she leaves the TV room for instance, quickly go in to turn off the TV and lights. You have to pick up where your partner slacks off and it may be frustrating at first, but if you want to save money, you will have to become more responsible.
2. Set an Example
Don’t make your partner realize that you have taken up extra responsibilities to ease the burden of debt, to pay the bills, and budget money. Let them feel the guilt of seeing you stressed out, but not complaining, they might begin to lend a hand. If there is no hope for your partner in the instance he or she is stubborn, we feel for you. Cross your fingers and pray for a change in your partner’s spending habits.
3. Take on Additional Responsibilities
If your partner ends up buying the whole grocery store, don’t send them to buy groceries anymore. Offer to go buy groceries without them. In order to save money, you will have to take on responsibilities, as this is the only way to get out of financial problems.
4. Establish a Budget
Establish a budget, but don’t say it in front of your partner. Chances are that your partner will not take you seriously, which may anger you, and a fight may ensue between you two. Make a budget on the computer using Google Docs or Excel. It will help you keep track of your expenses, pay the bills on time, and budget wisely. Whatever you do, don’t let your partner get the wind of it or else he or she will ruin your budget by asking for the money you put aside.
5. Lecture Your Partner, but with Love
Talk to your partner in a calm demeanor, but don’t try to change them too fast. If you feel they are getting mad, drop the conversation and save it for another day. Explain to them why you need to save and list all the benefits they will receive if they do the same.
Communication is the key to a successful relationship, as it creates a deeper understanding of values and goals such as creating a better future for your family by saving money.
A Selection of Budget Quotes
“The budget is not just a collection of numbers, but an expression of our values and aspirations.” ~ Jacob Lew
“It’s clearly a budget. It’s got a lot of numbers in it.” ~ George W. Bush“Plan to build up your food supply just as you would a savings account. Save a little for storage each paycheck. Can or bottle fruit and vegetables from your gardens and orchards. Learn how to preserve food through drying and possibly freezing. Make your storage a part of your budget.” ~ Ezra Taft Benson
“If you want creativity, take a zero off your budget. If you want sustainability, take off two zeros.” ~ Jaime Lerner