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Joel lives in Long Island, New York and has been dating Martin for a couple of months. They have already had the “money talk“. Joel is a smart conversationalist. Here’s their story.

How long have you been together?
Joel: My boyfriend and I have been together for two months, so we are still in the pretty early stages of our relationship.

How did money first come up in your relationship?
Joel: With my great personal interest in money and personal finance, I can’t help but bring money up when I’m getting to know someone. I am fairly open when discussing my financial situation. I think, though, that money first came up when he wanted to do something I knew was going to be outside my affordability range and I told him how I was limited in what I could do right now because I’m trying to pay down my debts. Since then, he pays for much of the entertainment and activities we do because he wants to see me focus on getting my CCs paid off.

Checking and savings accounts: Joint or separate?
Joel: Since things are still early, we have completely separate finances.

What is your worst habit around finances?
Joel: My worst habit is “binge spending.” I’ll do really well for a long time at being thrifty and getting things paid down, then I’ll decide I have to have some big ticket item like a computer or piece of furniture and basically undo the work I’ve been doing by setting myself back another few months.

Do you rent or own and how do you divide the bills?
Joel: We both rent and live in separate apartments.

What is the best gift your mate has ever given you?
Joel: For our one-month anniversary he gave me a rather expensive digital camera I had been wanting.

What is your most significant memory about money?
Joel: My first most significant memory about money is when I was 15 and received my first paycheck over $100 dollars. My second most significant memory is when I was 25 and received my first check over $1000. That was less than a year ago.

What is success?
Joel: Success for me is being able to live in a way where I am consistently building towards my future, not having to worry where next months bills are coming from and knowing that I have done my best to spend and save my money wisely.

What would you do with your life if money weren’t a consideration?
Joel: I would travel the world learning new languages and absorbing new cultures and experiences.

What’s been your worst disagreement around finances?
Joel: It’s been difficult for me to swallow my pride and accept the things my boyfriend pays for. He does have more means than I and he sincerely wants to help me, but a part of me worries about losing some of my independence if it goes too far.

What are your plans for retirement?
Joel: Retirement is quite a ways off yet, but I recently opened a 403(b) account. I would love to retire somewhere overseas.

About:
Joel is 25 and recently started a career in teaching. He moved from Ohio to Long Island, New York in August of last year. He grew up in Columbus, Ohio and attended college at Ohio University and Ohio State University for graduate school. Martin is 27 and moved to the US from Argentina seven years ago. Joel is an avid and entertaining video blogger. He can be found at Joel Stuart Living.

If you would like to be interviewed for future installments of Money & Mates, then please contact nina -at- queercents -dot- com.