For Richer, For Poorer

Hi Scott,

I currently earn a good salary, save around 35 per cent of my pay, do not have any debt (other than HECS), and am a long way into saving for a deposit for a house. My husband is a second-year apprentice who earns less than half what I do. We split most expenses 50/50, though I pay a bit more rent. I feel like I have to save for the two of us, and this stresses me out. I also feel resentful that he is not in the same position to save for our future as I am. How would you handle this situation?

Lisa

Hey Lisa,

Here’s a refresher for you:

“I, Lisa, take this [poor young up-and-coming apprentice] to be my lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for RICHER, for POORER, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.”

That’s what this is about.You’re building a life together -- you’re building a family together -- that requires a team effort.

So stop being a ball-breaker and cut your husband some slack: apprentices get paid bugger all while they’re learning their trade -- but at least he’s not incurring a HECS-HELP debt. Yet if he’s a hard worker, his income will jump in the years after he gets his ticket.

Now, before you blow your stack and write me an angry reply, let me share with you this little tidbit: I can chart my increasing income back to the day that I met my wife. Since we met, she’s been my biggest cheerleader.

Scott