Urban Chicago
Established Member
Joined: Dec 23, 2010 9:21:48 GMT -5
Posts: 435
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Post by Urban Chicago on Feb 23, 2011 11:12:09 GMT -5
We combine everything. For Christmas, we usually end up getting one big "couple" gift. Last year it was radiator covers. Then we just do stockings, which I just put in with groceries and stuff. He usually shops once in a while too, and does the same with me.
Valentines and such, we usually just do a nice dinner. Same with our anniversary.
For birthdays, we spend a little extra that month, so we usually just ignore the "extra" spending money. We rarely buy stuff that would be easily identifiable just by the store's name on the credit card (like jewelry or whatever), so what exactly we got is still kind of a surprise.
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Clever Username
Well-Known Member
Joined: Jan 27, 2011 14:15:59 GMT -5
Posts: 1,313
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Post by Clever Username on Feb 23, 2011 11:15:43 GMT -5
Take a step further back.
Even if you don't have traditionally combined finances, all of your financial decisions are still indirectly dependant on eachother.
So, in the long term, it doesn't matter.
But that aside, my wife loves when I pick up the bill when we go out to eat. So I do.
Knowing this, when she specifically grabs the bill herself, I know she's doing it as a gesture towards me.
So if I ever put down my foot and declare that it doesn't matter, I've ruined my own cheap thrill.
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lynnerself
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 3, 2011 11:42:29 GMT -5
Posts: 4,166
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Post by lynnerself on Feb 23, 2011 11:38:45 GMT -5
We have joint everything and enough discretionary income that we do not keep a budget, just max out all of our savings vehicles. Gifts are generally charged and around birthdays and holidays we try not to look at the charge account details until it is time to pay. Although I have had DH say "what is this charge to XXX?" and I'll respond "pretend you didn't see that."
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8 Bit WWBG
Administrator
Your Money admin
Joined: Dec 19, 2010 8:57:29 GMT -5
Posts: 9,322
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Post by 8 Bit WWBG on Feb 23, 2011 11:47:52 GMT -5
If DF and I had joined finances and each could review expenditures, I would worry that she would be unable NOT to micro-analyze and obsess over something she thought was a gift. She can't leave stuff like that alone, and that would mean buying stuff for her became a thing of the past because that takes ALL the fun out of it.
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