Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Couple shares income, expenses

Kathy Mitchell/Marcy Sugar

Dear Annie: I read another response to “Exhausted Wife,” whose husband expects her to pay for her share of their vacations, even though she can’t afford it. Another writer said he struggled to supply 50 percent of the household expenses when his wife had 10 times his income.

Since when did marriage become a “yours and mine” union? I have been married to a terrific guy for 33 years, and we have raised two wonderful boys. We were a two-income family until four years ago, when I left my job. At no time has our income been anything but “ours,” even now. We have always had joint banking accounts, along with joint bills, which were always paid with “our” money.

The subject of who is responsible for what portion of the bills or who will pay what percentage toward a vacation never entered our minds. I am appalled that someone has so little regard for his marriage that his wife must forgo a vacation because she can’t afford it. Marriage brings a lot of changes, including the joining of income and financial responsibility. It is a selfish spouse who does not realize it should be a 50-50 partnership in all aspects. – Happily Sharing for 33 Years

Dear Sharing: In some marriages, both husband and wife prefer to have separate income and expenses, but regardless of the arrangements, no spouse should be punished for earning less money than the other.

Annie’s Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Please e-mail your questions to anniesmailbox@ comcast.net, or write to: Annie’s Mailbox, c/o Creators Syndicate, 5777 W. Century Blvd., Ste. 700, Los Angeles, CA 90045.