Let me start off by saying the AskMRP sub has been an excellent addition.

I see a lot of posts on this sub about money and finances. This is a common problem. I too am having an ongoing problem with the wife and her spending, and her desire to spend. We keep separate bank accounts, and I take care of the bills (it has always been this way), and she transfers money to me every month to contribute towards the bills. That part is OK, and a necessity because she's a disaster with money. The problem is she always has her sights on yet another home improvement. New siding, new driveway, fix up this, fix up that, etc, etc.

I don't want to live in a dumpy house but there needs to be some balance between fixing it up and reasonable spending. If she had her way we would have all our credit cards maxed out and would be living paycheck to paycheck. That's not my money style, never has been, and never will be. I like to pay for shit with money I have, not borrow for it.

I am tired of being the one who has the foot on the spending brake while she has both feet on the spending gas pedal.

I have made the decision to have a sit down talk with her and put the brakes on spending. No "big ticket" expenditures until I say so, until we have a nice stack of cash in the bank to pay for shit. No exceptions. Based on experience, I know for certain she will be bitchy, have attitude, will over-react, etc. The oldest teenager in the room certainly applies here.

A little more background: things have been much, much better in the household. I'm following my plan, and she has fallen into step. Less shit tests. More good times. Her spending is the biggest problem we have.

I will proceed with The Talk. That is definite. Do any of you have any suggestions or advice on how to handle this, other than "just do it"?