So my wife (30F) and I (32M) recently came into some unexpected money – around $50k from a sports bet I won. We've been together for 8 years, married for 5, and we've always been pretty good about money. But this time, we're seriously at odds. I want to use this windfall to pay off our debt and boost our 401k. We have about $20k in credit card debt and a car loan that's been hanging over our heads for a while. I also think it's smart to secure our future a bit by putting some money into our retirement account.
But my wife has other ideas. She wants to blow it on a huge backyard renovation – building an elaborate outdoor kitchen, installing a fancy hot tub, and putting in professional landscaping. She says it would increase our home's value and give us a great space to enjoy with friends and family. I get that it sounds nice, but it feels so irresponsible to me. Our financial situation isn’t terrible, but it’s not exactly rosy either. We’ve had some arguments about this, and it’s starting to put a strain on our relationship.
She argues that investing in our home is wise and will bring long-term enjoyment and potentially increase its value. While I don’t entirely disagree, I think it's reckless to spend such a huge chunk on something that isn't a necessity when we have pressing financial responsibilities. It’s like she’s completely ignoring the stress that debt causes us, and I'm worried this could create long-term issues.