Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Dear Aunty Pam,

 

Can you settle an argument between my husband and me?

We just got a good sized tax refund and I want to spend it on home repairs (painting the trim and re-staining the deck) and Bob wants to blow it on a vacation. I think he’s being irresponsible and he thinks I’m being boring. Who’s right?

 

Cindy

 

Dear Cindy,

 

Interesting choice of words! You want to ‘spend’ the refund, Bob, however, wants to ‘blow’ it.. In the spirit of compromise, why not do both? Can you not paint the trim yourselves, as well as re-stain the deck? It’s not that big a deal, it’s just somewhat tedious. A house is generally one’s biggest investment, and it does require maintenance. So tell Bob that you agree to the vacation after he helps you do the jobs that need doing. You’ll be so angry at each other as you argue over missed spots, dripping paint on the windows, and falling off a couple of ladders that you’ll need that trip to Gatlinburg to save your marriage.

 

Cheers, dear!

Aunty Pam