Carolyn Hax: Blowing $40,000 a yr on garments is outrageous, proper?

In fact, they paid the bank card off from our joint account, which is how I came upon. We can’t afford to spend that a lot on something besides lease.
If it had been me, I do know I’d journey over myself to precise contrition. I’m certain they’d demand, and I’d acknowledge the necessity for, transparency. So I’d not merely give over the log-in and password for the cardboard account, however I’d take it upon myself to create a spreadsheet detailing all the things I had spent.
In distinction, they’re mad at me for being mad at them. They’ve acknowledged that it was “incorrect” and mentioned that they’ve “disgrace,” however they appear extra serious about speaking about how I’m “not ” in listening to how lonely they’ve been and the way (implicitly) that ought to excuse their conduct.
I’ve plainly expressed that I want there to be an accounting — as a result of, amongst different issues, they’re denying the quantity, even within the face of the plain numbers. Even after I’ve mentioned, in {couples} remedy, how onerous it’s for me to even ask for the log-in and password — with out really asking for it, which I can’t convey myself to do for worry of their response — they don’t voluntarily give it.
The dialog will not be over, and fortunately our therapist mentioned that subsequent session she desires us to “discuss cash,” however I’m having bother considering how an individual may even be this manner. I’m not discounting their emotions of loneliness, and it has been a tough couple of years for practically everybody. However I’m very troubled by their seeming reluctance to acknowledge simply how obscenely irresponsible they’ve been. And by my lack of ability to essentially confront it for worry of their response, which is a sample.
I’m unsure precisely what I’m asking. I feel I simply want validation: It is a fairly outrageous situation, proper? I’m not incorrect to be livid (which I’ve barely expressed) and to require transparency and contrition? As I mentioned, we’re in remedy, which predates this complete spending reveal, so there may be different not-dissimilar stuff happening.
Nameless: I’m unsure what you’re asking, both, however listed here are my ideas:
Sure, it’s an outrageous situation.
Sure, an individual’s loneliness and disgrace points might spur this sort of appearing out, however that doesn’t make it even remotely okay. It explains however doesn’t excuse.
You may have compassion for a partner who does this and nonetheless completely not stand for it or keep married to it.
And even larger than the spending spree and dishonesty is your partner’s refusal to personal the errors and do the work. A wedding can survive a secret spending binge, however it might’t survive persistent withholding and blame-only defensiveness.
Lastly, you’re additionally within the blaming-only place. You have got completely earned it on this scenario, so please don’t misunderstand what I say subsequent: If there was any disregard on your partner’s loneliness or misery main up so far, then it belongs in any complete response to your partner — and nonetheless wouldn’t excuse what they did.
If as an alternative the historical past is of your partner’s volatility and your tiptoeing round that, then please search particular person counseling. There are abuse flags right here (together with monetary). One Love Foundation is a superb useful resource.
Additionally wonderful is one reader’s suggestion: “Speak to an lawyer to guard your remaining property.”