When I met Tom, I was just 22, and he seemed like the sweetest guy ever. He made me feel like I was the only woman in the world. So, three months later, when he proposed, I said yes. My grandmother always used to say, “Marry in haste, repent at leisure,” and boy, was she right.
At first, everything seemed perfect. We moved into our tiny first apartment, and money was tight. But we made do. I clipped coupons, bought things on sale, and stuck to a strict budget. I kept telling myself things would get better—just had to hang on a little longer. But that was a lie. Things didn’t get better.
Two years after we married, Tom got his first promotion at work. I was thrilled! Finally, we’d have some extra money. But when I found out I was pregnant with Angelina, Tom told me that we had to be even more careful with money now. A baby was expensive, he said, so we had to watch every penny.
When our beautiful Angelina was born, I was over the moon. I imagined all the things we’d do—dressing her up in cute outfits, taking her out for ice cream, and visiting the zoo. But that dream quickly came crashing down. There was never enough money. Tom had insisted I quit my job when Angel was born, saying daycare would cost more than what I made. So now, I had to stay home with Angel and stretch every dollar.
As time went on, I realized there was no room for fun or extras. Every time I asked Tom for something, even something as small as ice cream, he would protest. I had to account for every cent. Tom became obsessed with saving.
Then, one day, he came home with a worried look on his face. “My boss got promoted,” he said. “The new boss doesn’t like me. I think I might be fired soon.” He went on to tell me that we needed to save even more money. I didn’t know how we could save less than we already were, but Tom slashed my grocery budget even further.
I was barely scraping by to feed our daughter healthy meals, and I started to notice how Tom’s attitude was changing. He’d have lunch in the company cafeteria and often go to his mother’s house for dinner. As for clothes for Angel, when she outgrew hers, Tom took me to a thrift store to buy second-hand clothes.
Meanwhile, Tom was living it up. He wore expensive suits, drove a nice car, and had a brand new watch. He was doing everything he could to look like a successful executive, even if his job was hanging by a thread. I couldn’t believe it.
Angel started school, and she was growing fast. She needed new shoes all the time, and I remembered my mom always saying that good shoes were important for a child’s growth. I had to make sure Angel had what she needed. But every time I asked Tom for money for something like new shoes, he would get upset and call me extravagant.
Finally, I decided to get a part-time job at a local restaurant. At least I’d be able to help with the expenses. I was nervous to tell Tom, but when I did, he didn’t seem happy. “Thank God, honey,” he sighed. “The company is cutting 20% of our salaries, or else they’re going to start firing people. We need to save as much as we can.”
I was stunned. “But Tom, you said they were making big profits! Sales were up…”
“Executive decisions, honey,” he said with a sad smile. “The shareholders decided. I can’t make a fuss, or I’ll be out of a job.”
I felt my heart sink. If I was going to be working extra hours just to make up for their mistakes, things would only get worse.
That year, we had to attend a work function for Tom’s company. I didn’t have the money to buy a fancy dress, so I borrowed one from a friend. At the party, I met Tom’s new boss, who seemed friendly enough. “You must be proud of your husband,” the boss said with a wink. “He’s got a bright future ahead of him!”
I turned to Tom and said, “He seems to really like you!”
Tom rolled his eyes. “It’s all an act,” he said bitterly. “That guy’s a snake. I’m on the blacklist.” I didn’t believe him, but Tom was convinced.
Then, Christmas came, and I was shocked when I came home to find a brand new top-of-the-line TV in our living room. “Tom? Where did this come from?” I asked, feeling my heart race.
“I bought it!” he said with a huge grin. “It’s a QLED screen! Look at the definition, look at the color!” He was so excited, but I was furious. That TV must have cost us thousands of dollars!
“I don’t understand, Tom!” I cried. “I’m scrimping and saving every single day, and you blow thousands of dollars on a TV? A TV!?”
Tom’s face hardened. “It’s my money, and I’ll spend it how I want!”
I couldn’t believe it. “Our money, Tom! I thought we were saving for our future, for Angel. But you… you waste it all on luxuries!”
“It’s MY money!” Tom yelled. “I earned it, and I deserve to spend it however I like. You’re just a drain on me!”
I stared at him in disbelief. “The lap of luxury?” I repeated bitterly. “You eat like a king and live like a lord, while Angel and I live like beggars!”
“I deserve it!” he shouted again, his face twisted in rage. “You’re nothing, a failure who’s sucking me dry!”
I stood there, frozen for a moment, then calmly said, “You know what, Tom? We won’t be a burden on you anymore.”
I went to the bedroom, packed a suitcase for myself and one for Angelina. I didn’t even need to think twice. We left while Tom was still glued to his new TV, flipping channels like nothing had happened. He looked up at us.
“Where are you going?” he asked, his voice laced with confusion.
“I’m leaving,” I told him firmly. “I’m divorcing you.”
I went to my boss at the restaurant and asked for more hours. Within a year, I was promoted to manager. Things started to change. I could buy Angel nice clothes, healthy food, and actually live without feeling like I was drowning. Then, out of nowhere, I was promoted again, this time to director of the restaurant chain. Life just kept getting better.
One Sunday, about a year later, I got a knock on the door. When I opened it, I saw Tom standing there, looking terrible. He’d gained weight, and his clothes were worn out.
“Babe, I’m sorry,” he whined. “I really need your help.”
I stared at him, shocked. “Excuse me?”
“I’m unemployed,” he said, his voice filled with desperation. “Can you lend me some money? Maybe let me stay with you and Angel until I get back on my feet? I know you’re doing really well now.”
I looked at him coldly. “Yes, I am,” I said. “And no thanks to you. But guess what, Tom? It’s MY money now. And I’m not about to waste it on you.”
Without another word, I slammed the door in his face.
I heard he eventually found a job as a cleaner at his old company. I never saw him again.
What can we learn from this?
It’s important to be careful with money, but some people take it to an extreme, like Tom did. A budget should be something a family does together. It’s about balancing saving with enjoying life. Tom’s obsession with money made him forget what really mattered: his family.
