[maat55]

Originally Posted by rob62521

My husband is pretty good about listening, but I've been the one who manages the bills, payments, etc. Last fall, right before interest rates dropped, we scheduled an appointment with our financial advisor who recommended some CD's at 5%. DH refused to be tied down -- he knew that interest rates were better. Within days the fed cut the interest rates and it was too late. I was very frustrated. I finally got him to put some money in laddering CD's at 4% a few weeks ago, but everything with him has been a struggle. He wouldn't change banks a few years ago although I had major problems with getting the checkbook to balance. It wasn't that I wasn't getting stuff put in and checked off, the bank was always telling me I had more money than we had. I told him that a bank that is that inaccurate isn't a place to be. It took over 10 years to convince him to change -- all I heard was "I've been banking there over 35 years." I finally told him he could bank there as long as he wanted, but I was moving the checking account to someplace that offered free checking (the old one didn't) and free on-line services. I told him loyalty meant nothing to these banks because this one had, in the past 8 years been bought out twice. He finally agreed, let me change banks and we've been looking for better deals for CD's and MM ever since.

I am the cheap one of the two -- I take coupons to the store, I look at the sales flyers, and if possible try to use coupons at restaurants if available. He never wanted to do that before, but when I pointed out, well, if we were going there anyway and save $5 on a meal, that's $5 we have for something else.

As for the romance novel with the thrifty undertones, be sure to make it, as my hubby calls it, "a bodice ripper" with some hunky guy on the front cover...maybe he can be holding a bond or some gold. :-)

I read in a book the other day about how the days of bank loyalty to the customer are gone. Like any other business, they are only about the bottom line. Same goes for employers, you have to see yourself as an free agent and do what best for you at all times.


toptaxgut,

I think your wife must be my wifes twin sister. Good luck.