Dear Dave,
I love your plan, but I think my husband is attached to eating out. Budgeting is very hard for him, and the cost of his fast food lunches is making it difficult for us. He’s also taken a salary cut recently, and I’m working a part-time job to help us get by. Can you give him some tough love from a male perspective?
Valerie
Dear Valerie,
It sounds to me like you’ve been way too nice. You’re acting like a mother dealing with little kid, and that’s not a good way to relate to a husband. Plus, if you guys are having money problems, the only time either of you should see the inside of a restaurant is if you’re working there!
A man has several jobs in life, and one of those is to take care of his wife and children. You’re wife shouldn’t have to work so you can stuff your face with fast food. When you married him, you didn’t want a little boy. You wanted a man. He needs to grow up and start acting like one!
That being said, my perspective probably won’t help. There’s a saying that goes, “Those convinced against their will are of the same opinion still.” He needs a serious change of heart.
You said you love my plan, right? Then sit down with this guy, and show him the numbers. Show him where all the money is going, and tell him it’s just plain wrong for him to eat out all the time while you have to work just to make ends meet.
People can do all kinds of things when they’re stressed out because of money problems. I’m sure taking a cut in salary was a blow to his self-esteem. However, it’s time for a strong wake-up call when these behaviors start to have a negative impact on family and finances!
—Dave
For more financial help please visit daveramsey.com.