While I am a woman, I am the non-typical who hates shopping; so I can understand if your wife had some charging issues. But being the more responsible of the two in my marriage.. sit down and talk to your wife. let her know the situation every month. If you let her and your children think everything can go back to normal now, you are creating monsters. I have to constantly tell my DH just because its pay day does not mean to blow it. We have bills, taxes and misc stuff to pay off. ... Trust me Cash and secured cards will be your friend.  I can appreciate getting your 16 year old a safe car like a Mercedes but there are safer more economical cars she could have been put into