Dear Blake,
My husband and I have been married for seven years. He provides financially for our family, while I work part-time. My husband is an “open book” when it comes to discussing our personal finances with others, while I am extremely private about this type of information.
Recently, our neighbors stopped by, and he told them what we paid for some work we had done on our house, which they did not ask to know. I was appalled that he did it, and asked him after they were gone not to tell people such private information. I’m very uncomfortable discussing our salaries with others, while he thinks it’s something for all to know.
We’re a middle-class family, and I’m by no means embarrassed by our finances, but I think it’s preferable to abstain from discussing these matters with others. He thinks it’s rude not to tell people what we pay for things and how much we make and save. Is it common practice to discuss personal finances with others?
Signed, Heather
From Boston, Massachusetts
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Dear Heather,
Most people shy away from talking about personal financial matters outside of family. And if you want him to stop doing that, then you should start talking about personal matters to people in front of him, regarding things that he’ll be begging you to remain silent on. Here are some ideas. Warn guests when they come over, that your husband is the most boring person you have ever met, and his voice has caused to nearly get killed when you nodded off a couple of times… while you were driving. Ask him while you’re with a group of wives, do they have any recommendations on how to deal with the impotency, then pause and say you’re asking for a friend. In front of your husband near men and women, tell them you wish your spouse would be aging as gracefully as all of your ex-boyfriends… that you fantasize about… nightly. Finally, state in front of friends and family that you are proud of what he has accomplished. And then add that few people who has extremely limited intelligence comparable to your husband’s, has accomplished what he has, and you are blown away at how his drive for success overcame his disturbing level of idiocy. From the way you described him, he’s probably dumb enough to take your brutal assessment as a compliment. I hope this helps.
Blake