Give Her Some Credit

Hubby must've been a corporate executive

Dear Blabby and Crabby:

I’m retired and get a small pension each month. There’s a cute little convertible car on the market. I would like to buy it. I’ve never been a spendthrift, but I really like this new car and think that I would enjoy having my own vehicle. Here's the problem: my husband says I’m being frivolous to even think about spending our money on a sports car. He buys new golf clubs or fishing equipment without my approval whenever he gets the urge, yet he wants me to keep my money in the bank. What should I do? Signed: Controlled Carrie

Blabby: Carrie has a problem with her husband that often happens when couples retire and their income is reduced.

Crabby: Yeah! She’s probably married to a former corporate executive who wants to control every aspect of his wife’s budget just like he controlled his staff’s expenditures at work. There’s power in the approval process.

Blabby: Now let’s not jump to conclusions. Maybe he’s just being frugal, and they can’t afford the monthly expense.

Crabby: I think Carrie may be married to a control freak. She should JUST DO IT!

Blabby: That’s what’s wrong with too many marriages today. People don’t talk things through, they just act. I think she should discuss her true feelings with him.

Crabby: Did you ever try to talk to an executive about feelings? Executives don’t have feelings! Corporate life sucks the compassion out of everyone one of them. They always have to choose between the bottom line and someone else’s job. It’s a terrible cross to bear. Therefore, they put their feelings somewhere in the back of their minds and forget about them.

Blabby: Now that’s a pretty harsh comment. You sound like you may have been a neglected child of a corporate soldier.

Crabby: Not really. My father sold Volkswagens in the ’50s and ’60s and made a bundle.

Blabby: Let’s get back to Carrie, shall we? Her husband may be a really nice person who cares deeply about her happiness. She should try for some common ground here.

Crabby: She doesn’t need any common ground. For sports cars, all you need is cash. FOR EVERYTHING ELSE, THERE’S MASTERCARD!

Blabby: You’re beginning to sound like a commercial.

Crabby: Really? I hadn’t noticed. Carrie earned the right to spend her money, just like her husband has earned the right to spend his. She needs courage, that’s all.

Blabby: What about the need to do what’s right for their marriage.

Crabby: At this point, that’s all bologna: B-O-L-O-G-N-A!

Blabby: You are sounding like a commercial. Sometimes you can be a real weenie!


By Don Griffin
Blabby and Crabby Blog