Part 2The $200 Allowance: How I Made My Penny-Pinching Husband Pay

I was completely baffled. "Is there a problem with our expenses?"

Mark made about $8,000 a month. Our regular expenses were $4,000, the mortgage was $2,000, leaving us $2,000 to save every month.

To ensure Mia had a college fund, I locked those savings into a high-yield CD.

We weren't exactly wealthy, but I thought we were doing pretty well.

Mark shook his head. "I trusted you too much before. That's why I handed over my paycheck and never asked how you spent it.

"If I hadn't accidentally seen it today, I wouldn't have known how reckless you are. Blowing $400 on paper products!"

He still wasn't over it?

I was speechless. "I've told you several times, that $400 is the total price for a whole year's worth of hygiene products. Take the tampons and pads, for example. If I buy them every month, it costs me close to $60 a month. But buying a year's supply at once only costs $300 total."

Mark kept shaking his head. "I don't care. You lie around the house all day and still spend money like water. Do you think it's easy for me to earn that paycheck?

"Starting today, I'm not giving you my debit card anymore. I'm only giving you $200 at a time."

The way he said it made it sound like I did absolutely nothing at home.

Did he think the hot meals he came home to and the clean clothes on his back just fell from the sky?

And what exactly was $200 going to cover?

My face instantly darkened.

Seeing my expression change, Mark quickly added, "Once you spend the $200, just ask me for more! It's not like I'm cutting you off."

He put on an exaggerated look of hurt. "I'm just trying to teach you how to be frugal. I work so hard to make money; the least you could do is show some sympathy for me!"

Of course I cared about Mark's hard work.

So I reluctantly nodded. "Fine. Let's do it your way for now."

Mark happily Venmo'd me $200. "Honey, I knew you loved me the most!

"Take this $200 for now. When it's gone, I'll send you more!"

I originally thought, We're a family. It doesn't matter whose account the money is in.

Besides, I just had to ask him when I ran out.

But I quickly realized how wrong I was.