Wow... this situation sounds so familiar.
My ex and I bought a house together, with the expectation of paying equally towards the expenses (we weren't married yet). Shortly after we moved in, she lost her job, and I ended up paying for everything.
She didn't really bother looking for another job, and I was happy to be able to commit myself fully to my own career and not have to worry about dinner, groceries or cleaning the house.
Move forward two years and she suddenly wants to start working again. Fine, no problem, we split household chores, same as before.... But this time she doesn't want to pay her half of the expenses. She's going out on shopping sprees and blowing her money, while I'm still stuck paying the bills.
...I've learned my lesson.
The only advice I can give you, is for you each to pay all household (mortgage, insurance, food) and common (vactions, savings etc) expenses based on a percentage of each of your incomes. Anything that you are left with is *Your* money; same for her. If either of you want more personal money, you could also work out a system for "sweat equity" (ie: an hour of housework is equal to $20). It's important for people to have their own money to do with as they please, no matter how frivolous (so what kind of bike are you looking at?
).
Money is one of the biggest things that tear relationships apart. You need to deal with it soon, and deal with it often.
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Originally Posted by amge
I guess I need to stop trying to walk on egg shells. As I have been trying to avoid talking about things because I have been affraid of upsetting her.
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Don't do that! Ever! If you have a problem, you need to sit down and discuss it.