Go over the budget monthly with him. Even if he rolls his eyes at first. Let him see you are shooting towards having MORE fun money for both of you eventually.
It's my belief that each partner in a marriage should have some fun or blow money that they can just spend any which o'way w/o a peep from the other - w/i limits --- IF the cost of maintaining same does not spill over onto the household budget.
No buying electronic equipment that literally sucks the lifeblood out of the utility category w/o prior agreement w/spousal personage in charge of bookkeeping! No buying a boat that required insurance, harbor fees, gasoline, etc. UNLESS said boat can be kept up on the allowance as well or the household budget will be adjusted to carry maintenance and upkeep.
Unfortunately for us our allowances aren't THAT generous so we've never had to combat this type of issue, but some w/larger incomes could conceivably save enough to make such expenditures!
I believe that if spouses were more involved in the decision process and aware of some of the challenges of maintaining a budget they'd be less likely to tilt the machine and bring the wrath of book-keeper down on their head!
