YES!!!!!

Agreed. I just track the ever-living monkey outta my bank account and cc accounts to make sure my wife isn't being insane and pace myself on big purchases (I'm a fanatic about researching stuff before buying so there's almost never an impulse buy).

 

I also checked my accounts online almost daily, but more from a "ID theft" angle than to keep tabs on anyones spending. I do like calling the wife when she's out shopping since I can see online where she's been. That tends to make her upset but I still do it for kicks and giggles.

 

Another one who checks daily. All of us are nerds.

One thing I will say is I have gotten some deals with cash. Even if you aren't doing envelopes, I still think you come out ahead using cash when purchasing larger items. Dun & Bradstreet did a study showing the average consumer will spend 8-12% more using plastic (similar results were also confirmed in an independent study McDonald's did in their debit/credit card test which is why they switched to allowing debit/credit cards) . So, even if you are very above average, you are probably spending more than someone using cash. That doesn't necessarily apply to anyone but really, think about the pain from giving someone cash versus just swiping a card.

And, yes, my wife gets a clothing envelope and when it is gone, she is done shopping. YAY!!!!

 

If you have read some of my older threads about my vehicle woes you know that my biggest financial weakness is my desire to trade cars too often. I have had my current car about two and a half years and I think about trading it every day. I know I should keep it and pay it off and pay cash for cars or at least not stay upside down on them but for some reason I have to argue with myself every day to prevent me from trading it in. I always use some flawed logic on myself like I am actually going to save money because the new car will not needs as much maintenance or it will get better gas mileage. I also have some credit card debt that I need to pay off and I am working on it. That area is more of a temptation for my wife than me though.

 

Yeah, cars will absolutely make you poor. My wife and I have just got to the point that it's just a freaking car. I'd rather have a nicer house or be able to take my daughters on a trip than make a car payment. And honestly, without payments, it isn't that hard to save up and buy a decent used vehicle.

Check out this video to explain how to do cars better.

http://www.daveramsey.com/etc/lms/drive_free/player.cfm

 

I'm of the same thinking but damn its tempting to get a new car every now and then especially if the money is there. I can understand Thelt's obsession but then I just think of what college is going to cost for the kids and the feeling goes away pretty fast. My wife and I have 2002 models and both have less than 75K miles and are in good condition. I may look at an electric when they come out, but will probably wind up driving what we have until the wheels fall off. They are saying the VOLT is giong to be like $45K which is way to much for a first edition new technology, etc concept.

 

My dad works on cars and has all his life. When I was a kid I used to help him in his shop. He had a dealers license back then so I could change cars as often as I wanted. I think that is what got me so messed up about cars.

My current car is a 2002 Ford with 125k miles on it so it is probably not going to last all that much longer. If it, and if I, can make it two more years it will be paid for though.