Communicating About Money

A couple of months ago, Paul and I spent some time talking about our short term financial goals. There are the usual home improvements and vacations, but Paul’s main wish is to own a ¾ ton truck. This one desire is so strong that it overshadows all other items on our “short-term” list. 

Historically, Paul and I have had very different ideas about the ideal timing and financing of said vehicle purchase. If it were up to Paul, the truck would already be parked in our garage. I, though, would wait until we have the full purchase price saved up. Neither approach makes the other very happy. The most valuable skill we have gained in the past six months is learning to communicate about spending our money – not just HOW to, but to do it at all! Needless to say, the truck has been the subject of numerous conversations.  The answer, of course, is somewhere comfortably in the middle. 

Now, just two weeks into this season’s snowfall, I can see my position weakening. Saturday we slid down the road to go to a Christmas get-together that the whole family had been looking forward to. Just a couple of miles from home we turned back; our car just wasn’t up to the roads. I admit, now I can’t help but wish for that 4WD truck a little myself. Maybe going through a winter on country roads without 4WD will impact our plan (no Paul, we’re not going truck shopping next weekend). The truck is really just an example of how life changes, situations change, and plans can change. The most important thing that we can do is to keep talking about what we want, financially, and how we can get there while staying within our means.