Greetings, Quentin I’ve been married to my hubby for two years. We both make six figures, however I make far more than he does. We’re both in our mid-40s and married for the second time. We have a prenuptial agreement and segregate our finances. He moved in with me and my 15-year-old child after we married.
Except for groceries, he pays me $2,000 per month to cover all of my living expenditures. I own the house outright, and my annual expenses are around $30,000. He constantly nags me about how unfair it is that he is paying rent. I suppose he believes he should pay less or nothing at all. He claims that he does not want to pay rent because he receives nothing in return and that the money is wasted. He believes I am taking advantage of him. I’ve offered to let him purchase half of the house, but he’s not interested.
“ ‘He claims that all of my belongings are here, and that the house is primarily his. I’ve offered to relocate so that we may share a space.’
He wants to retain his money in the bank so that he can invest it in things like trading and make money. Is the amount he pays reasonable? Is it appropriate for me to offer a housing discount? Our house is worth $650,000. He says that all of my belongings are here, and that the house is primarily his. I’ve offered to move so that we can share a property, but he says that’s not an option unless I want to pay for the house in full up ahead. His explanation is that he wants to invest and trade with his money. I should also mention that in the four years we’ve known each other, he hasn’t reported any positive investments on his tax return. What do you think a reasonable compromise is here? How can I persuade him that I am not exploiting him, but that he is an adult who should be able and willing to pay his fair amount without complaint? Sincerely, The Second Wife and the Homeowner Greetings, Homeowner! Rent is one man’s expense, while expenses are another woman’s. You’ve known each other for four years, have been married for two years, and are both married for the second time. I agree with your decision to keep separate bank accounts, at least for the time being, and to work out a payment plan with your husband. He covers more over half of your household bills, but you also spent $650,000 on a home and paid it off by your mid-40s.
“‘His monthly living expenses never increase, and he lives in a magnificent house.’ That’s a great deal.’
Before you married, I’m guessing you talked about money and decided on a figure of $2,000 as a shared agreement. I believe your husband is receiving a fantastic bargain, given that he wants to pay less so he can invest in the stock market and has ignored your offer of contributing to a property that you both own. His monthly living costs never increase, and he lives in a spacious house. That’s a fantastic deal. Without knowing where you reside and the market rate for renting or sharing a home of that size, it’s tough to determine whether $2,000 is too much or too little, but I have a feeling he’s getting a good bargain. You pay if the foundations need to be underpinned. It is your department’s responsibility to replace the roof if it is in need of repair. What is yours to live in for free, but he owns all of the additional money for investments? It’s a little rich of him to chastise you for doing one thing and then casually say he wants to do something similar. That’s an example of a double standard. There will be no selling. Also check out: Jamie Dimon demands that his employees return to work – here’s why that’s a stretch. If you have any financial or ethical questions about coronavirus, email The Moneyist at qfottrell@marketwatch.com, and follow Quentin Fottrell on Twitter. By sending your questions through email, you consent to their being published anonymously on MarketWatch. By submitting your story to Dow Jones & Company, the publisher of MarketWatch, you acknowledge and agree that your story, or variants of it, may be used in all media and platforms, including through third parties. Check out the Moneyist private Facebook FB, +1.21 percent group, where we seek answers to life’s most perplexing financial questions. Readers contact me with a variety of problems. Post your questions, let me know what you’d want to learn more about, or comment on recent Moneyist columns. Quentin Fottrell has more to say:/n
Read More
