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Suzanne and Wendy are bloggers that I have read for a few months and truly enjoy taking a peek into their lives from day to day. This day, they allow us an extra special look at how finances play a part in their lives and relationship. Thank you Suzanne and Wendy!

If you want to read more, we have more Money and Mates interviews. If you would like to be interviewed for the Money and Mates- email me from my About me page.

1. How long have you been together?
Suzanne: Eight years, give or take a month.
Wendy: Approximately eight years.

2. How did money first come up in your relationship?
Suzanne: Wendy and I were in very different circumstances when we started dating. I was self-employed and raising my then-13 year old son. Money first came up over my stubborn insistence we not move in together quickly. The challenge then became to find an affordable place for Wendy to rent close enough to where I lived. In hindsight, the rent she paid was a waste of money. We should have banked it instead.
Wendy: Most likely in the context of me contributing to the rent of Suzanne’s home.

3. Checking and savings accounts: Joint or separate?
Suzanne: We have a joint checking account for household use, but we each also maintain separate checking accounts. Our savings and retirement accounts are separate.
Wendy: Joint. Well, both.

4. What is your worst habit around finances?
Suzanne: I’m self-indulgent. If I want something, I find a way to afford it sometimes to the detriment of defined long-term goals.
Wendy: Procrastination. Online bill-paying has helped tremendously in this regard.

5. Do you rent or own and how do you divide the bills?
Suzanne: We own a home together. We each contribute to the joint checking account from which all household bills are paid.
Wendy: Own. Generally, I contribute a chunk of cash once monthly to the joint account. Suzanne takes it from there. I know I’m very fortunate in this regard.

6. What is the best gift your mate has ever given you?
Suzanne: Herself.
Wendy: Her heart. Oh, this has a monetary theme, huh? A simple pair of sterling silver earrings, presented to me as a Christmas gift not long after we first began “dating.” I adore jewelry and appreciate “understated” pieces, but the greatest gift was receiving it in the presence of her family as part of their holiday experience.

7. Did your parents ever disagree about money? How did they handle it?
Suzanne: I don’t recall my parents ever disagreeing about money. If they did, it didn’t filter down to the kids.
Wendy: To my recollection, my parents did not discuss financial matters in my presence.

8. What is your most significant memory about money?
Suzanne: I was sixteen when I got my first job as a cashier at Woolco. We were paid in cash every Friday. For a teenager, it rocked.
Wendy: The awe and intimidation involved in the process of becoming a homeowner.

9. What is success?
Suzanne: Earning the respect of one’s family and friends.
Wendy: Comfort with oneself.

10. What would you do with your life if money weren’t a consideration?
Suzanne: Probably live it much in the same way I do now.
Wendy: Sit on my ass and write, read, cuddle Suzanne and our dogs, and travel.

11. What’s been your worst disagreement around finances?
Suzanne: I don’t think equal financial contributions to the household are important, rather it’s the big picture that matters. Wendy feels differently. We butt heads.
Wendy: Although not a specific instance, generally any really expensive outlay for home improvement inevitably taps my “that’s too expensive, we can’t do that” instinct. I have ongoing issues with earning less money and consequently being unable to contribute “equally” to the household.

12. What are your plans for retirement?
Suzanne: Uncertain. We’ve been so focused on getting our son through college, thinking about retirement has been on the back-burner. In the meantime, we both participate in our employer’s retirement plans because money will most certainly determine how we eventually do retire.
Wendy: Living the high-life, as financed by our son’s brilliant career. 🙂

13. How do you pamper each other?
Suzanne: I cook for her. Oh, and I scratch her back. She’s a fool for a good back scratch.
Wendy: Foot rubs and cuddling.

14. Short bio on each of you…..
Suzanne is a devoted parent struggling to adjust to the empty nest, a professional bookkeeper and amateur author. She excels at taking care of the details of all manner of things, usually with a sense of humor. Her family, dogs, and other “details” are common themes in her blog Suburban Lesbian: www.suburbanlesbian.com.

Wendy works in the human services field, is comfortable operating most power tools and adores winter nights spent snuggled with her basset hound and a novel in front of a roaring fire. She indulges her itch to write at her blog Wannabe: www.wendywannabe.blogspot.com.