Real Answers for Life’s Money Challenges
I started dating a guy I really liked about 10 months ago.
I have two young children as well from a previous relationship.
(Their dad is not involved, so it was an easy move.)
I put the down payment on the vehicle he selected.
It was a fairly large effort to find housing, but we finally found a house we liked.
Rent is expensive where we are, so it was a hefty price just to move in alone.
It cost us about $9,500 to move, not including the U-Haul we had to rent.
I spent a little more than he did, however.
He bought a cheap living room set shortly after we moved in.
When I say cheap, I mean CHEAP.
Upon moving, he started his job and I stayed home with the kids.
With the money I had saved, I bought groceries and other things we needed for the house.
He paid the bills while I paid for groceries and other things we needed.
But the money obviously started to dissipate on my end.
After living with him for a few months, I realized he wasnt someone I wanted to stay with.
I care for him, but I just cant deal with him rambling on and on anymore.
He got fired from his job shortly after.
Then, something bad happened back home with his family.
We decided to move back home before our lease was up.
But Im trying to sort out the money situation.
-D.
Dear D.,
Its easy to split things 50/50 when youre on a date.
I cant say for sure who spent more on this attempt at living together.
Presumably, youll each get to keep the items you purchased for the home.
Each of you needs to focus on re-establishing separate residences instead of splitting hairs.
Drowning in Expenses?
Maybe youre scrambling after your car broke down.
Or you got a medical bill you werent expecting.
Or inflation has finally pushed your budget over the edge.
You dont need to go it alone.
When money is tight,these resourcescan help you manage unexpected expenses without stress.
My advice is to use this as a learning experience.
One of the big benefits of marriage is that its a contract.
Theres a process for when it ends, i.e., divorce.
This may have been an expensive lesson.
But fortunately, you learned this relationship wasnt viable within three months.
In terms of the time it cost you, Id say thats a pretty darn cheap lesson.
Robin Hartill is a certified financial planner and a senior writer at The Penny Hoarder.
Send your tricky money questions to[email protected]or chat with her inThe Penny Hoarder Community.
