When finances in a marriage become constant negotiations, it turns the relationship into a transaction. Andrea found herself in this situation until she decided to present her husband with an unexpected bill.
Initially, she thought money disagreements were about big things like a house or vacations, not over Wi-Fi. Early in their marriage, Andrea admired Thomas’s financial responsibility. But soon, his obsession with splitting every penny grew. What began as practical budgeting turned into constant arguments over even small expenses, like water usage or groceries.
He even started Venmo requesting her for meals she cooked, treating their home like a business. Despite trying to be patient, Andrea grew frustrated. One day, she received a Venmo request for $20 for using Wi-Fi while working from home. That was the breaking point.
To make her point, Andrea tallied every household task she’d done and assigned an hourly rate. The total came to $20,254. She printed an invoice, complete with a payment due date, and placed it on his desk.
When Thomas saw the bill, he was furious. But Andrea calmly explained that she was tired of being treated like a roommate rather than a partner. She packed a bag and left, telling him she had already consulted a lawyer.
For Andrea, the Wi-Fi incident wasn’t just about money—it symbolized the breakdown of their partnership. Walking away, she realized their differences were irreparable.