Well put I totally agree with both of these posts.

I can understand your frustration - my OH is slowly getting himself into thousands of pounds of debt and isn't paying any attention to my words of warning. At the end of the day, it is technically 'his' money and you can only do your best to advise him and hope he ends up seeing sense before he makes a mistake.

Is there any chance you could make a compromise? Say, he can have his car but only once you have a job and are both handling all of the bills (inc. everything for his Scenic) without any help from his parents? That way you are not being unfair or stopping him from doing what he wants, you are just saying 'not until we are more financially secure'.

Of course it is rubbish when you have to be the voice of reason and squash someone's dreams but if he goes ahead and buys the car and then can't afford to pay the bills, it will affect you too. It would be different if you weren't living together but he made the conscious decision to move in with you and rent somewhere together so he needs to be responsible for that before he is able to fulfil his 'living life to the full' desire.

I'm going to list out the finances with him - so he can go along with me and see how much it costs - rather than me do it for him and then suggest to him - again, that he waits until next year... and next year is when the drive is being re done.. so it's not just mud but a better surface. (In laws wanted to get it done - I was happy with paving slabs)

And hopefully he'll point out that for 6 months next year he won't be in this country so it'll be sat somewhere seizing brakes up and begging to be stolen.. our drive isn't secure and he can't fit it in his parents garage - being an american car it's longer..

Sometimes I wish I could be psychic and see whats going on in his head..

Sounds like a good plan of action, good luck!

I agree with Insomnia, I think you've got a good plan there! Perhaps if he can see what the downsides are for him then he'll be more inclined to wait.

I know what you mean about being psychic, wouldn't it be nice to be able to see what's going on in there?

Sounds pretty silly to me.
If you can't afford it and it isn't practical then it isn't really an option is it?!

I got a bit annoyed with Stephens car because we had to go everywhere in my car if Teg was with us, but we managed to compromise in that I put covers in Stephens car (leather seats) and got a seatbelt clip thing for Teg and it's fine.

Maybe a car that feels "exciting" but is still practical?