Things are going pretty smoothly right now. I think my husband feels as you do, mojo, that he just wants me aware of the ins and outs. Employment for me is a goal, but all we need is a part-time minimum wage position somewhere, to help offset my medical costs. I can't do as his first wife did. She worked for the same company and drew the same benefits. If she didn't contribute to household expenses, at least they had each other covered on their health insurance, so that eliminated co-pays. Me, I generate co-pays all over the place, every doctor visit and every medication. If I just had a small income, I could take care of my own co-pays, and he wouldn't have to fit that much into the budget.

Yeah, that $20 out of every paycheck does kind of feel like an allowance, but he doesn't mean it as degradation. He insists on giving it to me because he doesn't want me stuck penniless somewhere if something happens while I'm out. I'm diabetic, and if maybe my blood sugar starts to drop, I can stop for a bite to eat. I don't have to worry about transportation if the car breaks down, which isn't real likely because he maintains the vehicles well, but anything can happen. Since he's a bus driver, I ride for free. But if it's after hours or a holiday, and the buses aren't running, at least I'll be able to take a cab if something absolutely dire happens. Usually I hold that money for emergencies if I can, and don't spend it unless there is something I really, really want or need. I'm pretty confident the "allowance" will stop when I'm earning my own.

In fact, whaddaya wanna bet I'll be spending a good chunk of my paycheck on things HE needs but won't buy for himself, like socks and underwear?