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"The traditional family structure is just not compatible with a society in which every woman works in the market place."

While I agree with you, how do we reverse the trend of the current generation of men that want it all and want it now (McMansion, two or more cars, kids, electronic gadgetry) that require two incomes to support? You can't possibly blame the "wants" of one sex on the other. Granted, women can be willing accomplices in the "gimmies" but unless you marry someone that lives simply in the first place, how do couples get around the Two Income Trap?

It's taken me nearly 10 years to rein in my husband's spending. Whereas I can live on little, he is one of those "it's only money, I'll make more" types.

My solution was getting my own financial house in order, cutting up my credit cards, paying off my car; basically being debt-free myself then dropping out as an "income source" for all of his stuff.

Harsh? Yes. Eye-opener? Yes. Was I initially guilty of being a "spending enabler" to my husband? Yes. Did it work for us? Yes.

I've never relied upon anyone else's income to support me, nor will I ever unless I'm disabled in some way. I worked at least part time when my boys were small. They turned out fine. Two are college bound, one is finishing high school.

Kind of OT from the article, but the important point in my rambling is to not let the "wants" of your spouse jeopardize your own financial well-being, or the bottom line of the family as a whole. Learning the fine art of Money Management can go a long way towards keeping a marriage together, one income or two.

"While I agree with you, how do we reverse the trend of the current generation of men that want it all and want it now (McMansion, two or more cars, kids, electronic gadgetry) that require two incomes to support? You can't possibly blame the "wants" of one sex on the other. Granted, women can be willing accomplices in the "gimmies" but unless you marry someone that lives simply in the first place, how do couples get around the Two Income Trap? "

it is a fair point you make there

Actually, the economics would tell you that, since women have expanded the labor market, the purchasing power of a single salary has gone down precipitously. It's a spiral, the more two-income families there are, the less one income will buy.

My solution was getting my own financial house in order, cutting up my credit cards, paying off my car; basically being debt-free myself then dropping out as an "income source" for all of his stuff.

Harsh? Yes. Eye-opener? Yes. Was I initially guilty of being a "spending enabler" to my husband? Yes. Did it work for us? Yes.

You probably dodged a bullet. My sister has bill collectors calling her or showing up at her house every week. She got out just before her ex cleaned her out completely.

While I agree with you, how do we reverse the trend of the current generation of men that want it all and want it now (McMansion, two or more cars, kids, electronic gadgetry) that require two incomes to support? You can't possibly blame the "wants" of one sex on the other. Granted, women can be willing accomplices in the "gimmies" but unless you marry someone that lives simply in the first place, how do couples get around the Two Income Trap?

Good points. I'm reminded of the time when we got our first color TV in 1971, I still vaguely remember the days when color TV was somewhat rare. My aunt always had a color TV as long as I can remember, I was born in 1966 and turn 39 this week on the 8th, she had one since the early 1960's when they were expensive, an RCA "roundie" (round screen). We had a 1959 Philco B&W TV, before our 1970 Zenith (I still have the Zenith BTW) so as I got older, I asked Mom, why didn't we get a color TV like my aunt." She said, "there was nothing wrong with the Philco until it started to go bad to the point to where we needed to get a new TV." I think that's it in a nutshell, in addition to being more of a selfish society, it affects all, men and women, we have become much more of a "keep up with the Joneses" society. People are apt to toss things inthe garbage that is still in perfect working order. On Audio Karma (AK), another forum I hang out on (I like old electronics), there was a story where someone put out an RCA Color-Trak TV, 1989/90 vintage so one of the AKer's picked it up to take it home to fix. He plugged it in just to see if it works and it worked perfectly but it was tossed, maybe to make room for a new TV. I know myself, I still watch our 1982 Zenith to this day (and hopefully get the 1970 Zenith back online), the same set since I was a sophomore in high school. I think we live too much in a greedy, throwaway society and this is part of the selfishness we have today.