My boyfriend and I have been together for about two years. It’s been an unusual relationship since we barely knew each other before deciding to leave everything behind and travel the world. We’ve visited around 15 countries, spending every day and night together, whether traveling or sharing hotel rooms or camping.

We quickly had to combine our finances, at least for travel expenses. Here’s what I like and dislike about his and our financial situation:

What I Like:

He Trusts Me with Our Money:
To avoid the hassle of tracking who owes what in different currencies, he transfers money to me periodically. I match the amount, and we use this pooled resource to pay for everything. I give him regular updates on our expenditure, and he trusts me entirely with this arrangement.

He’s a Good Businessman:
He has a large collection of art and coins and owns a cattle ranch. Listening to him discuss business has taught me a lot. He excels at buying low and selling high, a skill I’m still mastering.

He Loves to Bargain:
While I focus on saving money, I dislike spending time bargaining. He, however, is great at negotiating and often gets us better deals than I ever could.

He’s Responsible:
Being older, he has a significantly larger estate and is now debt-free. In the past, he only went into debt for appreciating assets like property. I could be with someone who has debt, but not with someone who irresponsibly accumulates more.

He’s Generous:
Although we each pay for our own expenses, he frequently buys me small gifts like t-shirts or earrings. He’s thoughtful in knowing when to get something for someone without overindulging them.

What I Don’t Like:

He’s Impulsive:
He has a tendency to buy things on a whim. He’s a recovering shopaholic who once came back from shopping sprees with numerous suitcases of clothes he hardly wore. Recently, he impulsively bought fake “caviar” from a street vendor, which turned out to be inedible.

He’s Used to an Expensive Lifestyle:
Having grown up with a private jet and yacht, he prefers staying in hotels and eating at restaurants while traveling. We split travel expenses 50/50, which means when he opts for a hotel instead of camping, I feel obliged to agree even though it feels wasteful.

He Doesn’t Care Much About Saving:
Having never had to worry about money, he finds it hard to understand frugality. He prefers eating out regularly, even at mediocre and overpriced restaurants, whereas I’d prefer picnics and occasional dining out. When I try to discuss the importance of saving, he dismisses me as being cheap.

He’s Wasteful:
Despite my efforts, some of his wasteful habits, like running water unnecessarily or keeping the AC on all night, are hard to change.

All in All:
I think we make a good team. He often reminds me to enjoy experiences without worrying excessively about cost, particularly in expensive cities where I’m hesitant to spend money on attractions. This balance helps us enjoy our travels together.