Ask Annie

Dear Annie,

I need help with my relationship. I’m really going through it with the mother of my child. She’s got a nasty spending habit, and it’s caused us to go into debt considerably. I really love her and was taught as a man to protect and provide and do what’s necessary to make her happy. But at this point, she’s going out of control with the spending. She has spent the money that we put aside for our first home and is trying to get more money to go to the BEYONCÉ concert. She doesn’t work. I take care of her and the kids. I do give her a good monthly allowance to spend to get new things, make sure her hair is done, and her nails are done. She’s very well-kept, but she’s really starting to become a hindrance to my dreams and goals that I have for myself and my family. So how do I deal with this spending problem a.k.a. my wife.

Sincerely,

Don’t Wanna Be Broke No More

Dear Don’t Wanna Be Broke No More,

First off, you shouldn’t be providing for her because it makes HER happy. My grandma told me you can’t make no one happy, that’s their own business. If you want to provide, do it because you want to with no strings attached. To me, it sounds like you’ve made an environment for a parasite to get comfortable… for entitlement to sink in. Your girl has got no gumption, no wherewithal, no desire, and no ambition. Like why would you even let her spend the money for the house?!? She just wants to collect. Now, don’t get me twisted. A good woman should be treated as royalty because there are things that we can do that no one else can do. A man who finds a wife finds a good thing. We can bring life. We can nurture anything. We can grow anything, so some things need to be respected and appreciated. But it would be best if you went make yourself happy and encourage her to do the same. It sounds like she has some other voids and issues within her life so she resorts to spending money. Have you heard of retail therapy? It’s a real thing. People spend money when they’re experiencing grief or need to cope. It’s important for you to check your wife and see what her deeper issues are. Think about therapy, it may be helpful. And if she wants to go to the BEYONCE concert and it’s not hurting you any, let her go because it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. As a matter of fact, go ahead and start therapy after the BEYONCE concert because you’re going to need those coins. My thoughts, you asked.