tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post8594593449507639984..comments2024-03-17T04:14:05.997-05:00Comments on Sam, Coffee, Money, & Thyme: Working as a Financial TeamSAMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16485146123969622896noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-41342388085446803062018-11-05T14:14:09.147-06:002018-11-05T14:14:09.147-06:00I have to say that as a single parent for a number...I have to say that as a single parent for a number of years I liked the fact that I had total control over my money. Yes it was less money since there was only the one income but I could make the money stretch like nobody's business when there was no one else to spend it. Your friend is an unfortunate example (which used to be the norm!!) of a wife having no idea about the family finances. I feel for her. I hope your hubby's job is safe but if not may he find something even better!Janehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02803104035204416080noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-70740936977761453732018-11-04T08:13:23.986-06:002018-11-04T08:13:23.986-06:00Trying to stretch money that just isn't there ...Trying to stretch money that just isn't there is the recipe for disaster. I'm glad you are moving forward and out of your debt, Kim. SAMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16485146123969622896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-53769712486582450812018-11-04T08:12:18.047-06:002018-11-04T08:12:18.047-06:00The company health care is an incredible asset, bu...The company health care is an incredible asset, but deserved if your husband was a part of their team. Great on you for keeping your priorities in place, but then being brave and starting new adventures when you had more life experience than others in the work force!SAMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16485146123969622896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-7077764641213550982018-11-04T08:09:59.453-06:002018-11-04T08:09:59.453-06:00We've had out battles, but overall, we think s...We've had out battles, but overall, we think similarly and definitely have the same priorities. neither of us would ever be accused of trying to keep up with the Jones's. We've made a lot of financial blunders, but made them together!SAMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16485146123969622896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-59578188895160318872018-11-04T08:08:01.451-06:002018-11-04T08:08:01.451-06:00As you both mention, these discussions and decisio...As you both mention, these discussions and decisions are not easy. The present and the future need to be considered. Also, every family needs to decide for themselves priorities, without getting caught up n what other families decide is bet for theirs. Then, we all can make every decision we think aligns with our current and future priorities, and a curveball, uncontrollable by, can be thrown in. SAMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16485146123969622896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-10452846391551047492018-11-04T08:00:55.399-06:002018-11-04T08:00:55.399-06:00Yesm team work applies in every aspect of a famili...Yesm team work applies in every aspect of a families life.SAMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16485146123969622896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-85409683173103307942018-11-04T07:52:10.326-06:002018-11-04T07:52:10.326-06:00Out my window, when the other spouse isn't inv...Out my window, when the other spouse isn't involved in the finances, or doesn't want to be, or maybe just loves their job too much to be realistic, it is a recipe for disaster isn't it. We had good incomes but my husband could spend through both our salaries and more because he wouldn't be realistic.Treadershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08613671137557939083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-63862940807600152792018-11-03T15:30:32.593-05:002018-11-03T15:30:32.593-05:00Oh, I understand "hard." I found my job ...Oh, I understand "hard." I found my job very rewarding, both emotionally and financially. I knew, thought, that if we ever had children, I expected myself to stay home with them. If we weren't able to make that hard choice, we would have chosen not to have kids. Not arguing, but a lot of weighing of priorities, and changing expectations.Meg B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/09871105973774159424noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-30590766651772775492018-11-03T14:59:55.585-05:002018-11-03T14:59:55.585-05:00Sam I have always had to be the major earning pers...Sam I have always had to be the major earning person in our family. My husband worked at a career he loved that made very little money. Also our religion really frowned on mothers working outside the home. After 10 years of hubby not working or working very little (seasonal layoffs) I just went back to work. I tried to work around my kids school schedule, doing many different things. Early morning teaching, after school teaching late night cleaning, sewing during the day,School directing. This way the kids were with me. It was so hard but it brought in enough to get by. Finally I snapped and started to add debt to keep up and that is where I got caught in the spiral. So hubs blamed me as I wanted more than he could provide. What can you provide on a take home of $1800.00 a month? Now factor in $400.00 for commuting and a full 10 % tithe to the church. He lives in a dream world that I provide.However I do have to say that his retirement is excellent and his medical benefits have continued for me until I reach 65 at no cost to us. Priceless.Out My windowhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13456481267171643227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-65533912147715326422018-11-03T14:05:14.805-05:002018-11-03T14:05:14.805-05:00Great post. I was a SAHM for 31 years- can you bel...Great post. I was a SAHM for 31 years- can you believe that? However, I knew what was going on financially and my husband worked for the same company all those years. He died suddenly at age 48 but since I knew how to 'run' things, my then 8 year old daughter and I managed well. I did not want to have to work outside the home and still be at home like I had for the 2 older kids and it all worked out. I started a career at age 55 when youngest could drive and still love my job. Talk about doing things opposite LOL. Also I was fortunate my husband's company let me continue with their excellent health care coverage! I realize now what a perk that was. You're going to be fine.Nanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01542702981220531365noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-59127120597296466772018-11-03T13:38:22.910-05:002018-11-03T13:38:22.910-05:00Crikey, that was almost as long as War and Peace -...Crikey, that was almost as long as War and Peace - but it's a subject I feel very strongly about. Sorry about that!Treadershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08613671137557939083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-54289011809091797682018-11-03T13:37:33.092-05:002018-11-03T13:37:33.092-05:00That's a lovely post you've written Sam an...That's a lovely post you've written Sam and a real tribute to your relationship. Sadly I didn't have that in mine - I tried to show my ex our budget but he used to get embarrassed I would say as he couldn't deal with the different currencies/exchange rates (we earned Swiss francs and live in France in the euro zone). I found it easy but one time I was in hospital for an extended period and he had to try to do it himself and he was "furious" as to where "I was spending all the money". Yeah right. The only spender in this family was him - I couldn't keep up with it. I tend to work "on the back of an envelope" - but it works for me. My own mortgage will shortly be paid off in 7 years instead of the original 17 and you know I'm going to retire early at Christmas, on a substantially lower pension than I thought but I don't care - I can make it. He insisted one time that everything had to be put in excel but then never entered any of his spending. He is bipolar so excessive spending can be a feature (and it certainly was in his case). Anyway, I'm back to the envelopes, have money in the bank - as for him - I have no idea but I can imagine. So like your friend, when only one person is in the know it will never work out - my problem was he didn't want to know and the spending of course. You are smart and you as a couple will definitely make it. Cheers. AnnaTreadershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08613671137557939083noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-25264230809662947102018-11-03T10:40:03.288-05:002018-11-03T10:40:03.288-05:00Agree. The lack of desire to "put all of the ...Agree. The lack of desire to "put all of the burden" on my husband on the earning front is why I've worked so long in a job I didn't find rewarding. Even though we'd saved enough to make that a semi-ridiculous concern. I'm very financially conservative, and we've been having a lot of very good & real conversations about the next 7-10 years & what our expectations are in terms of finances, etc. It's been very useful, but harder than I expected. (By harder, I don't mean arguing, but looking a little deeper at some of my own expectations, concerns, etc.)Hawaii Plannerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04760426766801381563noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6173509801114364154.post-90987127785046141432018-11-03T10:29:14.833-05:002018-11-03T10:29:14.833-05:00"...families need to work as a team financial..."...families need to work as a team financially, or chaos will ensue." I think you could amend this statement to "families need to work as a team, or chaos will ensue." Sometimes, you have to take on another position, so you better know how to play it. Also, (and maybe unrelated) I know from my DH's profession, that those without kids were often, when bidding for trips, referred to as "not having a family." Untrue.<br />Great post. Best wishes.Meg B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/09871105973774159424noreply@blogger.com