My Husband Has Always Had Expensive Taste. It's Starting to Become a Big Problem.

"My husband and I have totally shared finances. He has expensive taste in clothes, in my opinion. On average, he spends $200 on a pair of pants, $100 on a shirt, $200 on a jacket. I usually buy my clothes either used or on sale from high street stores, and my average is more like $30 for pants, $20 for a shirt, and under $50 for a jacket."

"You're not greedy-you're just finally noticing an imbalance you actually created. And here's the good news: You can fix it today. Stop waiting for your husband to give you permission or encourage you to spend more. He's probably not withholding approval-he's likely being a supportive husband by not pressuring you to change how you shop or look. You've been happily buying $20 shirts for years. Why would he assume you suddenly want something different unless you tell him?"

"The real issue isn't him-it's that you need permission from yourself. You have shared finances. If he can spend $200 on pants without guilt, so can you. Period. Here's what to do: Go shopping this weekend and buy one nicer item. Don't start with a $1,000 purse-start with a $150 pair of pants or a dress that's three or four times what you'd normally spen"

She and her husband share finances, but he spends significantly more on clothing while she shops mostly used or on sale. She feels resentful and worries about appearing greedy for wanting higher-quality clothes. Shared accounts mean both partners have equal access to funds and the same spending freedom. The real barrier is internal permission rather than spousal approval. She can start by buying one nicer item to test comfort with spending more. The recommendation is to avoid extreme purchases initially and try something moderately pricier to recalibrate personal spending norms.

Read at Slate Magazine