that is, the menage a tois of me, my husband and our money.

Last year I was complaining a lot about things money-related and DH's attitude of "I make the money, you manage it." And my proverbial "being in the boat of one" when it came to worrying about how to pay and what to pay, etc.

Last summer we attended a parish-sponsored money management seminar. In that year we've come a long way ...

Our financial situation hasn't changed much (as far as what is coming in and going out). We still have our fair share of crunch time when the cash flow isn't what we're used to (less work from the second job or late paying tenant). And it's really getting tight given the tuition increase, and the timing of things like medical bills and what the kids need.

What IS different is that DH and I are openly communicating about these things - my concerns are voiced freely to my DH, who offers advice or simply reminding me that we've always managed.

We actually have goals jointly agreed upon (amounts that we need for car purchase/repairs, etc). And we have plans of how to handle the money coming in (assuming tenant begins to pay with regularity, the state income tax refund, the extra paycheck in October, the money we get as cash gifts for my birthday/Christmas).

It is nice. I no longer feel alone. Just thought I'd share how we've come a long from where we started.