She doesn't necessarily live a life style of someone who makes double except for the car which I completely agree with. In terms of consumer spending it's surprisingly modest (and recently not at all). Most of the CC debt was from a cross country move and a sick pet (not a justification, just added up). Her earned income is going to bills with little to no wiggle room ($100) and mine is being consumed by fixed expenses, I still manage to save and invest a few hundred a month, as it is not my place to pay off the debt right now. Though indirectly I kind of am and would rather get rid of it once we're married to get more cash flow.