Real Answers for Life’s Money Challenges
My live-in boyfriend and I both work.
He makes about two to three times more than I do.
I love my job, but its not making me enough money.
I get very anxious about bills and expenses, even though my boyfriend helps with the bills.
Here is the issue: We share my car, and we both need it for our primary jobs.
The bills are coming out of my account, and he gives me the cash to deposit for them.
I dont want to fight about this, but we have talked about this before.
I just dont know what to do.
Theres not much middle ground here.
If something doesnt change, your worries will only compound over time.
Quick interruption to bring you an ad about dramatic pause side gigs.
But I dont think the car is the real issue here.
The way youresplitting expensesclearly isnt working for you.
A 50-50 split usually doesnt make sense when one person significantly outearns the other.
Think about what it would take for you not to feel broke and anxious.
Quantify it if possible.
For example, would you sleep soundly if you were earning an extra $500 a month?
Ideally, youd divide expenses according to income.
Its also essential that you make a budget together.
This should include a monthly contribution to anemergency fundthats in both of your names.
Keep making that contribution until you have at least three to six months worth of basic expenses.
Can You Survive 10 Days of Budgeting?
If you gotta wrangle your budget, it may be time to consider a savings challenge.
If your boyfriend wont agree to a compromise, driving for DoorDash is a decent short-term solution.
The only long-term fix there is to walk away.
Ultimately, this is your vehicle.
Your boyfriend has no right to limit your access to it.
Dont let his objections stop you from building financial security.
Robin Hartill is a certified financial planner and a senior writer at The Penny Hoarder.
Send your tricky money questions to[email protected].