My wife doesn't think I make as much as her friend's husbands do? Is she right?

Question

I work in a family business and make base $66,000.00 with overtime it can be up up to $70,000.00 to $74,000.00. I have a company truck (with free gas and insurance) and we have a covered HMO for our whole family (which she complains about the deductable). I am 33 years old.
Most of my wife's friends' husbands are automotive engineers and live in nicer houses.
I made the comment that they probably don't spend as much as we do and she insists that they make more than I do but can't tell me how much more.
Basically I think she spends too much and she thinks I am being taken advantage of at work. Who is right?

To answer a couple of questions. I have a degree and it is a company truck because since we can use it for deliveries it can be completely written off by the company.
Actually I am one more obsessed with money (more like saving it) than she is.

Also I live in Michigan. In Oakland County one of the wealthiest in the country but I live on the outskirts.

Answer 1

If she's talking pure net income, she may be right. But pure net income is almost meaningless by itself in the world of personal finance. Chances are, even if her friends' husbands are making more than you are, it sounds like they're living outside of their income bracket. Which means that they are slowly accumulating what's known as consumer or 'bad' debt.

So in the end, they're really kind of screwing themselves. Plus, your HMO is a great financial asset, which your wife doesn't seem to understand at all. The most important thing about money is living inside your means, not how much you net a year.

You should invest in a good personal finance book. Go over it with her, and see where you guys can cut expenses so you can begin building wealth. Also, you may want to compare your current income with that of those in a similar industry position and see if you ARE getting paid less than you deserve. Don't go around asking for a raise though, that can create bad blood, especially in a family run business. I'd suggest you post another Question if you come to that bridge.

So in summary, get a personal finance book, go over it with your wife, and try to begin building wealth, either in an IRA or through smart investments.

Answer 2

Sounds like you are doing pretty well to me. In addition to the money that you make, insurance is a HUGE deal these days. She should be thankful you have such affordable health insurance.

It sounds as though she doesn't appreciate these things. Maybe it is because she hasn't ever been in a situation where she's needed insurance and hasn't had any or where she has had to be on a budget. You definitely need to put her on a budget.

The more I learn about people, the more I realize that just because you have a more expensive house, does NOT mean you have more money than someone in a less expensive house. For all you know, you could be investing and/or saving much more than her friends. Some people spend every dime with no consideration for retirement or savings.

She also sounds very unappreciative. Is she really that obsessed with money? Can she not just be grateful for what she has? Not to mention, what does it matter what her friends' husbands make? They aren't her provider, they aren't the father of her children, and they aren't the ones she chose to spend her life with - so, I guess she had better start appreciating you more!

Answer 3

Your wife sounds pretty shallow to me. Who cares what someone else is making? If what you make is enough to support your family, then it is enough.

I notice that you don't mention your geographic location, but where I live you would be making a VERY nice living with just your base salary. Add in your overtime, free vehicle & gas, and health insurance for the whole family (most employers will only cover the employee & meake you pay for your family), and your package becomes very sweet indeed.

If your wife can't see this, then she is blind to the way the real world works. Perhaps she needs to curtail her spending.

Answer 4

Shoot! We live on a much lower income. We are perfectly happy with that. Thers's 6 of us in the family and i'm a stay at home mom. Who cares what the other person makes. As long as you are providing for the family needs. That is all that matters. Need to show or see what is really important in life. Money that doesn't have feelings or the family that will support you no matter what. I hope that she will she that soon.

Answer 5

the question should be are you happy? then ask if your kids are happy? then ask if she's happy? if its yes to all these then you are the richest man in the world already. when i think i dont get paid enough i think that i am glad im happy and healthy and just remember after you are dead no one gives two sh*ts if you made 30,000 a year or 90,000 a year, they just rememeber if you were a good happy guy or if you were a sh*thead. tell your wife its not all about material stuff and if you manage your money you have plenty. if she still complains tell her to work in a factory or in food service a couple nights a week and see what she would rather do, have the money or have the time to be with her family and friends.

Answer 6

i could be telling your friends spouse that it became into as much as her to rectify this count number and that if she did no longer then you definitely might spill the beans on her. Why could you're taking the blame. the terrific time to try this could be while all 4 of you're jointly and greater effective nevertheless in case you 4 have been in a crowd. in case you without warning split on her in front of a crowd then she could be so a great deal shocked that she might provide the activity away via being rapidly gobsmacked. yet another factor is that in case you could cope with it to checklist the convo on you mob via fact the marvel of of you splitting on her will marvel her plenty that she won't have time to think of of an answer at recent.

Answer 7

She needs a budget. She is only trying to work you up to make you feel like you deserve more money. I think your doing great for your age. Having a company car and gas card is like having an extra 10, 000, or even more now that gas is so high. If she wants more money maybe she should go out an make it. She just sounds as if she's jealous of her so called friends, and wants to show them up. Real friends don't care how much money you make.

Answer 8

Wow, I think you old lady is leading a double life.... I swear that she lives at my house too!... :-)

Its never gonna be enough!
When we were first starting our family, we didn't have any money at all! And you guessed it... That wasn't good enough!
Well now we have the 5500 sq ft house and shes in an 04 Jag.... I still hear her mouth running about money... I told her if money is such an issue for her that she might wanna figure out a way to go and make some herself. And again, you guessed it!!! That wasn't good either!

Answer 9

If you're driving a company truck it sounds like you have a blue collar job, certainly nothing wrong in that; just an observation. If these other guys are engineers then they have college degrees, maybe master's degrees and are probably paid accordingly. I would bet that if they're your age they're making about double what you are.

Answer 10

Why is she Bit*hing ??? Shes Lucky to have a great husband that takes care of the family...Tell her o.k hunny let's get a big @ss house like all your friends..Now get your @ss up and get a damn job...I bet then she'll be thanking you for even haveing a place to live