My wife spent $400 on dresses, then asked me to pay her tuition — why couples who don’t see eye to eye on spending could be headed for trouble

Splitting the bills

Though ImpressiveAd273’s spouse doesn’t have a traditional 9-to-5 job, her role as a stay-at-home mom is no less demanding.

According to a survey from the Pew Research Center, nearly half of adults (49%) believe that women’s contributions at work and at home are valued equally.

The value of a mother’s work can be quantified by tracking real-time market prices of the jobs they perform. As per Salary.com, the median annual salary for a stay-at-home mom was estimated at $178,201.

According to another Pew Research Center study, about 26% of children in the U.S. are raised by a stay-at-home mother.

Despite this, many families struggle with balancing the contribution of a stay-at-home parent with the financial responsibilities of a single income.

So while ImpressiveAd273 has been covering housing and food since having kids, disagreements about spending have escalated.

ImpressiveAd273 wrote that his wife spent $400 on dresses, but expected him to pay for her tuition, which is just under $1,000.

For couples where one partner stays home, splitting financial responsibility requires a clear, balanced approach.

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Mastering the budget

Budgeting is essential for maintaining financial stability. One widely adopted approach is the 50/30/20 rule, where 50% of your take-home pay is allocated to essentials (“needs”), 30% to “wants” (aka. “fun money") and 20% to savings and/or debt repayment.

In theory, this approach should allow both partners to enjoy financial flexibility, but in practice, it’s not always that simple.

According to a 2024 Love & Money survey by Fidelity, 27% of people admit to being “often frustrated” by their partner’s money habits — yet, they often let it go to avoid conflict.

In some cases, tensions and lack of communication can result in instances of financial infidelity. A report from financial services company Bread Financial found that 45% of coupled respondents hid purchases from their partners.

“I create budgets every so often but she never uses the tools and apps we have for them,” ImpressiveAd273 shared on Reddit.

The key to a successful budget is collaboration. When both partners are on the same page and create a plan that reflects their lifestyles, it can reduce financial tensions and even allow for the occasional indulgence — such as clothing or fine dining.

Budgeting isn’t about restriction; it’s about prioritization. Everyone’s budgeting strategy is going to look different. The key is for you and your partner to examine your lifestyle and set financial goals together.

By focusing on shared goals — whether that’s paying off debt, building an emergency fund or saving an extra $100 a month — couples can celebrate victories together.