When we first were married, I didn't worry about money at all. But DH fixated on it and blamed me for a lot of what he considered frivolous spending. We just didn't have the same priorities in life. I could never get him to sit down and see that. We've never been in CC debt that we couldn't pay off each month.
What woke me up was watching my mother in her debt problems, and looking at the size of our mortgage...and figuring out how much we'd be paying including interest before it was paid out! Then I started to panic.
Funny thing, DH wasn't moved by the mortgage. To him it was just a fact of life! I bargained, begged, pleaded, cajoled and demanded we pay extra on the principal every month...with support from his siblings and father, whom he always seemed to listen to when it came to money. He associated me with my mother and just never has listened to me about money.
Then late years I started to really worry. Retirement is rearing it's head, DH started his career late and made some unwise moves, the Canadian gov't keeps talking about taking away some of it's guaranteed pension for seniors (which would really put us in the poor house), and we didn't start saving for retirement until 15 years after I first suggested it to DH. Some things really aren't worth the fight! As far as DH is concerned, we should be able to live off the government pension. (sigh) Quality of life means nothing to this man.
So last year, when we paid out the mortgage, I was jumping for joy! I had to sit DH down the fall before and point out how close we were and how we could make the end come a few months quicker. He finally saw that.
I was relieved to not have to worry about money finally! Then Mom dies and I have to deal with her estate...worry about money again. I am sooo disenchanted with executors and financial planners right now. If they can find a way to screw things up, they will!
Jean