Weddingbee Blog

Be sure to check out all the posts in our Relationship Series here!

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Who in the relationship is frugal and who is spendy? How does it affect your relationship?

Mrs. Deviled Egg - I am the more frugal one in the relationship. Not that Mr. DE is a big spender, but I am the one more likely to purchase the lesser-priced version of stuff we buy often. And, I am the coupon queen, so I cringe when he buys stuff like toothpaste and deodorant without using one. (You can totally get that stuff super cheap or FREE by combining coupons and sales! I stock up when I can.) I’m usually OK with checking out consignment shops for clothing and accessories, but he’s more likely to head to the department store for his wardrobe. Of course, I always make sure to bring along any necessary coupons! Overall, I’m glad that both of us have a good understanding of where we stand financially and are able to evaluate purchases without going overboard or piling on any debt.

Mrs. Mary Jane - Mr. Mary Jane might disagree with me, but I think he’s a little more spendy and I’m a little more frugal. But just a little. He likes to indulge himself: going out to eat, seeing movies, etc. Don’t get me wrong, I do too, but 9 times out of 10 I’d prefer to stay in and save a buck or twenty. I think we balance each other out quite well: he definitely sees the value in saving for the long run, and I am starting to see the importance of not depriving yourself of fun stuff all the time just to save a few bills. That said, we both have what you might call ‘expensive tastes’. We like nice cars, nice electronics, and other luxuries that can easily eat up our money if we don’t keep ourselves in check. Having a shared written budget (in Google Spreadsheets!) and reminding each other of our goals really helps in this regard.

Mrs. Quiche - We are both spendy and need to keep each other in check from time to time! We also like nice things, so we need to be smart about our purchases. That being said, we also love a good bargain, so at least we have that going for us (& our bank accounts!).

Mrs. Peep Toe - Ekk. We’re both spendy—me on day-to-day things, a shirt here, new shoes there, and Mr. Peep on larger things—a flat screen TV and brand new Mac laptop, although Mr. Peep is much better about living within his budget, and I am working really hard at saving my money. So, I think we are both trying. We keep our money completely separate so we can spend our money how we want. BUT I don’t necessarily think that’s healthy or going to last for the long run.

Mrs. Lovebird - I’m frugal and Mr. Lovebird is super spendy! I don’t think he could go a day without purchasing something online, although everything he buys is a “deal”. The first thing he does when he wakes up and the last thing he does before he goes to bed is check deal/bargain websites.

Miss Frozen Yogurt - I wouldn’t say I’m SUPER spendy, but compared to him I appear that way because he is SUPER frugal. In the end, I think it all works out because I inspire him to spend a little more (really, we can go to dinner tonight, I promise), and he inspires me to spend a little less (you don’t need another pair of shoes this week). It’s a good balance.

Miss Rainbow - Hmm… at first glance I would say that I’m more spendy, and he’s more frugal. But on second thought, I think not. The thing is, he’s more comfortable buying big ticket items, whereas I buy a bunch of smaller things. He’ll spend $200 and come home with a chair. I’ll spend $200 and come home with a vase, some curtains, and a rug. I amass more, but don’t necessarily spend more. I would say as far as the amount of money we spend, we’re pretty even. It just looks like I spend more, because I physically purchase more, but I don’t necessarily spend more money.

Mrs. Penguin - We are both spendy. We don’t live with a lot of “things” but we do eat out a lot and we don’t watch our money when it comes to our friends. I dislike being in a group environment and counting pennies so I often pony up and pay bills just for the sake of keeping it comfortable. Mr. Peng is the same, but his friends are less stingy than mine, so it’s not as much of an issue for him. We spend a lot of money on food… way too much. I don’t think I’d call either of us “really spendy” but there is NO way you could call us frugal. Mr. Peng will go to great lengths to buy the best quality product and the lowest price, but shopping (for anything—clothes, electronics, etc.) makes me dizzy. If it’s an electronic, I buy it at Costco (and if they don’t have it there, I wait until they do) and if it’s clothing, I buy it when I need it. (An admission: I often tell people I got something on sale or for cheaper than I actually paid for it. It’s a crazy weird impulse lying habit I have!!! It’s horrible!) I’m not a window shopper and don’t particularly get turned on by sales, either. I would say I don’t have a lot of clothes or shoes, and I carry one purse until it’s falling apart, so while I’m not a barganista, I don’t get a thrill out of spending a lot of money unless I really need something, either.

Mrs. Joey - I think we’re both pretty frugal but we’re both willing to spend money on things we think will last like a new dining room table or things we’ll use a lot like cookbooks or a computer. That said, we both like DIY and do a lot of research before buying anything so we can get a good deal.

Mrs. Sea Breeze - Oh, he definitely loves teasing me about being the spendy one, but I’m proud to say I’ve come a long way since meeting Mr Breezy. Sure, I still like shopping, but now looking at the balance of our little nest egg gives me the same exciting little thrill as a new pair of kick-ass shoes (OK, maybe not *quite* the same, but close).

Mrs. Mouse - We’re both spendy when it comes to eating out—we’re both too lazy for cooking and grocery shopping, and there are just so many delicious restaurants in Austin! I definitely have more of a shopping habit than the Dude: especially when it comes to clothes and makeup. He doesn’t spend a lot of money, apart from the occasional CD/DVD purchase (although we just bought two flat screen TVs!).

Mrs. Pinot Noir - I would say I am more frugal and Mr. PN is more spendy. I will wait months before buying a new pair of jeans or new shoes and I will wear them out until the end. He is a bit more spendy, especially when it comes to eating out.

Mrs. Labrador - I’m definitely the spendy one (but not in the sense of spending without thinking because I research every purchase and pay the best price possible!). It’s can be frustrating sometimes because Mr. Lab always questions the cost/need for something until after it’s all said and done. For instance, I had to BEG him to go to our first road game last year (and it was a day trip to South Carolina and cost next to nothing!). We ended up winning and having a blast all while spending some quality time together that we rarely get anymore (not to mention we won’t have many chances to travel to football games in the future). He thanked me for weeks for talking him into it!

Mrs. Hydrangea - I am more spendy. By far. Mr. H tends to get a little spendy, but only on things that he truly wants, and it doesn’t happen too often. I wouldn’t say he’s uber frugal either; he just really doesn’t spend much. But me? Oh man, I am a force that must be controlled, and Mr. H does his best.

Mrs. Tulip - Mr T and I are freakishly similar for almost everything, including our approach to spending money. (We’re both cheapskates who love finding bargains on quality items.) However, he’s MUCH better about long-term savings than I am. Sometimes I resent it when the savings hamper our ability to afford current needs or desires. But I know I’ll value it highly in the long run!

Miss Lamb - I’m spendy as far as small items (eating lunch out, buying accessories, etc.) and he’s more spendy on big items. The Lambster is way more thrifty when it comes to long term savings, though. My subconscious philosophy is to enjoy things/places/memories in the moment and Lamby likes to invest for retirement.

Miss Trail Mix - We’re both on the frugal side, although I definitely spend more money shopping. But in general, we both try and save as much as we can…

Miss Potato Chips - We’re both pretty frugal. Or poor? Not sure which. But Potato Head is definitely better with money. What a miser! I’m more likely to splurge on a nice pair or jeans or organic groceries every once in a while. He can be found lurking around the day-old bread, buying things in bulk. How sensible.

Mrs. Toucan - I think I’m a little spendy, but compared to Mr. Toucan, I’m a big spender! Mr. Toucan is a notorious saver, which is good for both of us because our habits are rubbing off on each other. I now save a lot more than I used to, and Mr. Toucan knows that it’s okay to splurge a little from time to time.

Miss Cookie - Mr. Cookie is the saver, and I am the spender. Mr. Cookie is a financial analyst and is incredibly good with money, which I am very grateful for. His money habits have rubbed off on me, but he’s way more frugal than I am. In the beginning of our relationship, this caused us to butt heads about expenses, a lot! A girl has got to have a Starbucks every once in a while. So for the sake of our marriage, we devised a system for expenses according to our personalities: Mr. Cookie saves the bacon and I spend the bacon. I take care of most of the food and fun expenses with my income like food, general household supplies, eating out, movies, etc., and Mr. Cookie pays the mortgage and utilities, and what is left over from his salary is put into savings. It works for us.

Mrs. Sunbeam - Mr. S is more spendy, but he tends to splurge on a few nice things rather than just spend on lots of little things. I’m the one who saves for the future and has a hard time buying herself something new or will shop around for a deal. This, of course, does not apply to food! We both get spendy every once in a while and splurge on fancy dining or a trip to the wine country.

Miss Ramen - Mr. Ramen is the frugal one. His parents have done a WONDERFUL job of raising him to be an extremely financially responsible husband of a woman who looooves to shop. I’m learning to spend less (I’m a bargain-hunter by nature anyways), and he’s learning to be a little more generous. I think we are doing a good job of balancing each other out - although we both are aware that there will be (and have been) numerous spats regarding finances.

Mrs. Duckling - Mr. Ducky is definitely more frugal. I wouldn’t say I’m super spendy, but I tend to be more tempted to splurge on items I probably shouldn’t. However, Mr. Ducky would rather buy something that lasts and splurge a little bit on things like furniture. Since getting married we have definitely started clipping coupons from the Sunday paper and watching our spending more than before.

Miss Moonbeam - I’m probably a little spendier than I need to be, but he did buy about 6 pairs of $100 jeans when he moved to LA, “cuz that’s what they wear there”. We both make sure we pay our credit card every month though and put a bit into savings.

Ms. Sushi - This is a hard one. I’d say that I’m definitely the saver and while I do have a tendency to be frugal (umm… my family is Filipino and PA Dutch!! You really can’t get much frugal than that!), I also am usually the one who makes the BIG purchases and eats out a lot more than I should. Mr. Sushi is a horrible saver, but is pretty frugal himself, unless it’s something he really wants… or food! You can’t come between him and his food; he easily can eat hundreds of dollars worth of food in a month.

Mrs. Beagle - Mr. Beagle is extremely frugal and if he does have extra cash, he puts it toward his savings or investments. I, on the other hand, am a little more spendy. I invest money into my 401k and I put  some of my paycheck away into savings. I’m pretty bad about spending money on coffee, food, and fabric. Mr. Beagle doesn’t really complain much because I pay my part of the bills on time and, right now, our incomes and accounts are separate. Sometimes I get frustrated with him because I will see that he really needs new jeans/clothing/shoes/etc., but he refuses to spend money on himself.

Mrs. Snow - I’m spendy. We joke that I have champagne style on a malt liquor budget, and I’m way more likely to make impulse purchases. Still, I don’t like to buy things if they’re not on sale (but I’m also a sucker for “deals” I don’t really need). Contrastingly, Mr. Snow is an expert budgeter. He lived on the supercheap for several years of his early twenties, so he plans his purchases, saves, and keeps everything within his limits. I’ve learned a lot from him about how to manage money. We can’t do much about long-term financial goals while I’m in grad school, but when I’m finished, I know we’ll start aggressively saving for a home and retirement.

Mrs. Yorkie - I think we’ve both always been pretty moderate when it comes to spending. We appreciate good quality things that will last a while, but usually have an eye out for the best available price. Since the wedding, we’ve definitely become more resourceful and conscientious consumers. Like the Ducklings, we’ve taken to clipping Sunday coupons. I guess that we just found that our pre-wedding savings plan didn’t negatively affect our lifestyle too much, and have decided to continue with it for our next set of goals.

Mrs. Cherry Blossom - I’m definitely the spender, and thank goodness Mr. CB is the frugal one of us. He’s been working hard for himself since he was 16, and although I’ve been working just as long (at one point working 3 jobs while going to school full time), I have no idea how I managed that. But I still managed to work hard and spend even harder even with great deals and coupons. I learned my lesson the hard way, and my credit card was not my best friend. The credit card and I are better friends now since Mr. CB entered my life. He helped me better balance my savings and spending, so that we can all get along better. And in turn, Mr. CB now treats himself once in a while and doesn’t save every penny he’s made. Overall, it’s a great balance. I’ve learned a great deal from him and it gave me a large amount of appreciation for him.

Miss Pretzel - We’re kinda boring… we’re both pretty frugal although we each have our moments and our indulgences. I eliminated all my debt last year (’cept for student loans) and he should be right behind me this winter unless our wedding spending gets out of control!

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Who is spendy and who is frugal in your relationship?