> it leads to conversations like cutting down on recreation and leisure and reducing spend on hobbies and downtime Very good points and I agree with all. Rega

> it leads to conversations like cutting down on recreation and leisure and reducing spend on hobbies and downtime Very good points and I agree with all. Regarding recreation - I do very well and that conversation can still pop up. My wife doesn't have any hobbies and I have quite a few. I recently got into kayaking so there's a decent upfront cost. She'll make remarks like we need to cut back on spending or you're spending too much, how much was that, etc. I just tell her - I could cut back on hobbies and spending but that would require me to cut back on work or abandon one of my companies. Then she gets quiet because she knows what that means. :) I also worked the health benefit angle which is always good with wives. She knows I'm going to spend however I want anyway but I try to get her to understand my reasoning and what the benefits are vs the cost. It's important to enjoy the fruits of your labor and have fun, it's important to have hobbies, and it's important to get exercise. Certainly you shouldn't spend wrecklessly like some people (take out a HELOC and buy crazy things like dune buggies like so many did in Vegas prior to the collapse), but every couple should save a set percentage (ideally 10%+) and have a discretionary budget. That way you don't get all the passive aggressive remarks and arguments when one of you spends money on themselves. It's already been decided.