How do I tell my partner that an equal holiday split isn't equally affordable?
Money"It's only $200 a month each," my partner said, turning his phone towards me. The trip is four months away and would cost $1,600 for the two of us. He has already put aside his $800.
I bring home $1,900 a month; he brings home $3,200. We each pay $1,100 into household costs under an arrangement we agreed to when we moved in. After my other regular expenses and savings, I usually leave myself $120 for meals out, clothes and whatever comes up. I could find the extra money for the trip, but those four months would feel very different for me.
He says we should pick somewhere cheaper if I can't afford it. That is a reasonable offer, except this is the place he's been talking about for a year, and I do want to go. I haven't asked him to pay more because I don't want his excitement to turn into a bill for dating someone who earns less.
Would you reopen the holiday split, suggest a cheaper trip, or start with the household arrangement? How do I explain the difference without making his higher pay sound like something he owes me?