<prompt> Human: Both of us grew up in lower-middle class families. Somewhere along the line I learned the importance of living frugally and saving for the future. Im an avid user of YNAB, put 10 in a 401K, and put the maximum in my companys stock purchase plan which vests immediately. We have about 10K in savings and index funds, which will cover a few months of expenses mortgage and daycare being the largest expenses.My wife is very bright, but is self-admitted financially inept. She tries to follow a budget, but gets impulsive when she sees clothing go on sale or desires new decor for the house. She reasons that money can be allocated from other categories weve set like groceries, or household maintenance and then well just spend less in those categories. The end result is we overrun our budget most months, and we dip into savings to keep our credit paid off. Sometimes shell ask her parents for some money who oblige. Its obviously not sustainable.What are good ways of conveying the importance of fiscal responsibility to somebody who has never been taught these skills? What are some ways of emphasizing this is how much we have, this is how much we can spend without overloading her with barcharts and spreadsheets? Her parents tend enable her spending habits by providing money - how can I diplomatically suggest other ways of making the most of this money?  <response>: Sometimes shell ask her parents for some money who obligeThis would drive me nuts. If you both have a job, then she should be able to spend her money as she pleases, but at the same time you both need to save.Just because things go on sale doesnt mean she has to spend money on them. Maybe stress to her that you already have so many nice things, and to be thankful for what you have. Think about where you want to be? And where you see yourself in the future financially.Not many people can say they have 10k in the bank. So thats an awesome start. Maybe start a savings plan for your childrens college education, where each of you pay for one child or split the costs. So theres money accounted for in the future. Does she contribute to her 401k?Having a goal is the biggest thing. Id say have a goal of 30k in the bank, and 1 car paid for, while contributing to 401k, and then have the mutual agreement to go hog wild as long as bills get paid for each month, AND credit cards are at zero. All while having the backup in savings, and to NEVER dip into the savings unless a health bill needs to be paid or something breaks. Throw the credit cards away. Decorations should be LAST on the list of shit to buy. I know most of the relatives in my family live off of 1 salary and save the rest 100. Put some into liquid savings, some into 401k for both individuals, and play the game of paying off cars, debts, and hopefully housing via paying more so every month into the mortgage.Buying crap you dont need is fun sometimes, until you cant keep afloat, or one of you loses your job. Another thing I recommend is to add up ALL recurring bills, and see how much subscriptionsbills are yearly. Then add up non scheduled patterns of spending. Like meals out, how much was purchased at each store, gas, etc. IMO, if you are both contributing about 20-40 into savings each month, into the mutual savings pot, then spend the shit out of the rest of your paycheck. But ONLY if the CC gets paid off every month and the savings NEVER gets touched. 