When I took a year off work to raise our newborn twins, I didn’t expect my husband Ethan to turn into a budget tyrant. At first, we’d been equal partners — two professionals managing life and money with mutual respect. But once I became a full-time mom, he started scrutinizing every purchase I made, from diapers to tampons. Then one night, he dropped a bomb: “Since you’re not earning, you should track and justify every dollar you spend.” He even left a notebook labeled “For Your Budgeting Practice!”
Humiliating?

Absolutely. But I played along. Each entry was dripping with sarcasm: Diapers – $19.50. Because I’m fresh out of leaves and hope. Toilet paper – $8.99. Turns out, we’re not cavemen. Tampons – $10.49. Because biology doesn’t pause for your ego. Ethan hated it. So I took it a step further — started logging his spending too: