There's always that one guy—let's call him Dan—who treats his wallet like it's a national treasure, guarded by dragons and booby traps.
Dan's the type who won't spend a dime without a fight, especially when it comes to his wife, Emma.
To him, every date night is a financial catastrophe, every gift a crisis. His catchphrase? "Do we really need this?"
Emma's been eyeing a pair of shoes for weeks, ones that would go perfectly with the dress she bought on sale (a bargain, really).
But when Dan hears the price tag, his eyes widen like she just suggested buying a private island.
He'd rather hunt down every coupon on the internet than pay full price, even if it means Emma's dream shoes remain just that—a dream.
It's not that Dan doesn't love Emma; he does, in his peculiar way.
He'll fix anything in the house with duct tape, cook her breakfast (using the ingredients that are about to expire), and he's always there to pick her up when she's had a bad day.
But when it comes to spending money, Dan's motto is "love doesn't need a price tag," a sentiment that Emma has heard far too many times.
Birthdays? They're celebrated with practical gifts—a new blender, or maybe a DIY coupon for "one free back rub" that he insists has no expiration date.
Anniversaries are marked with home-cooked dinners instead of fancy restaurants, with Dan proudly declaring, "Why spend $100 on food when we can eat better at home?"
Emma, ever patient, sometimes wonders if he's saving up for something she doesn't know about—a secret yacht, perhaps, or a hidden gold vault.
But no, Dan's just thrifty to the core.
For Emma, it's not about the money; it's about the feeling that sometimes, it's okay to splurge a little, to feel spoiled and cherished.
One day, Emma finally asks, half-jokingly, "What are you saving all this money for, Dan?"
He pauses, scratching his head, and says with a grin, "For us, for the future... so we can grow old and have no worries."
It's sweet, but Emma can't help but think that sometimes, the future could use a little fun right now.
So she keeps hoping that one day, Dan will loosen the grip on his wallet, if only a little, and realize that some things—like a new pair of shoes or a surprise dinner—aren't just expenses.
They're investments in happiness.