We have a simple system. It all goes into the joint account. We make small purchases as needed. If either of us spend more than $300 we ask first. Not necessarily for permission, but because it is the polite thing to do and couples should communicate.

 Reply

I have an informational interview at a big PR firm tomorrow.

I would like to change careers. I'm a little freaked out. But -- maybe I will wind up earning more than my husband.

Thank you for listening.

 Reply

How does this relate to the thread? Jamie and his ilk are super excited about this study and now expect all dinners to be paid for.

 Reply

So like - they need to lay people off, but since the women are doing more tasks and are willing to take on more duty, it's the dudes who get canned. Business survival trumps sexism. Does that logic make sense?

 Reply

I am beginning to wonder whether or not it has something to do with my appearance--I am over 300 lbs. I keep telling myself that this cannot be the reason but I dunno...the only reasons I can see that they rejected me was due to my appearance or my personality. I thought the interview went really well, and I felt very "at home", so..... I dunno what to think.

Any insights would be most helpful. I really need to talk to someone about this (other than poor MrMerlin who has already heard it all).

 Reply

My boyfriend is a programmer, a field made up of mostly men and which, I understand, has seen a recent spike in unemployment. My boyfriend was laid off in the late fall. I work retail. So while I usually make much less than him, I now make more than he does.

Fortunately, he starts a new job on Wednesday.

 Reply

Maybe because the majority of people in manufacturing are men and that is the industry that tends to get the shit end of the stick during downturns.

Or, maybe the ladies just work more overtime or take second jobs at a higher rate.

 Reply