I’m a saver. She’s a spender. Or is it the other way around?
How can we find middle ground?
When it feels like your other half undermines your efforts to save or spend, that frustration can cause major issues in a relationship. As with any situation that appears to be black and white, it helps to walk a few miles in the other person’s shoes.
The “saver” in one relationship might actually be a poor spender. For example, if they’re putting away money for a big purchase, they can’t afford it in the long run (i.e. a Lexus, when you really only can afford a Camry). Or, the “spender” may have a more realistic understanding of what grocery costs really are for the family. Making an effort to understand the reasoning behind the other person’s behavior is typically pretty eye-opening for both parties.
Help each other out by establishing some ground rules. Vow to put 10 to 15 percent of your paychecks into savings or an emergency fund. Another example, set approval limits for purchases. Check with your partner before spending over, say, $100. This helps keep the lines of communication open and prevent unnecessary spending.