Cara and Nikki

This week, Queercents begins a series called Money & Mates. Our first couple to be profiled is Nikki and Cara. They live in Eastern Tennessee with their children and four dogs.

How long have you been together?
A little over three years

How did money first come up in your relationship?
Cara: “It came up initially when we moved in together and I was unemployed at the time, so Nikki paid all the bills for a couple months.”

Checking and savings accounts: Joint or separate?
Nikki: “For checking we each have an individual account and we have one joint account. For savings we have a joint account.”

What is your worst habit around finances?
Nikki: “Mine used to be shopping too much, as can be seen by my debt. Now though, Cara would say it is because I save too much.”
Cara: “I don’t write in my checkbook and will use my debit card until it gets declined, and by that time I have already overdrawn my account.”

Do you rent or own and how do you divide the bills?
Cara: “Own. Until my new and lower paying job, I made the house payment, electricity and water. Nikki made car payment, cable/internet bill, payments on all credit cards and loans. We’re not sure how it will be affected yet.”

What is the best gift your mate has ever given you?
Nikki: “Her love, definitely… although the diamond ring would be a close second!”
Cara: “Love”
Nikki: “Ugh, you copied me!”

Did your parents ever disagree about money? How did they handle it?
Nikki: “I do not recall my parents ever disagreeing about money, maybe because we never had much of it.”
Cara: “Not that I knew of.”

What is your most significant memory about money?
Nikki: “My most significant memory of money would be the first time I received a large (couple thousand dollars) federal tax refund.”
Cara: “When I was handed a check for $25,000 at 17 years old.”

What is success?
Nikki: “Success to me is getting to a place in your life where you have the things that are most important to you. For me, it will be when I have a career I enjoy, have no debt and no longer worry about money, because I already have the woman I plan to spend my life with, our children, and our 4 dogs.”
Cara: “Success is doing well at the things one endeavors to do.”

What would you do with your life if money were not a consideration?
Nikki: “I would quit working right now and go to school to one day get my MBA.”
Cara: “Pay off all debt and travel”

What’s been your worst disagreement around finances?
Cara: “When Nikki spent all available funds on a shopping spree.”
Nikki: “Oh yeah, that’d be the one.”

What are your plans for retirement?
Nikki: “Well, with as late as I have decided to start saving and the low interest bearing options I have at this point, I will probably be working thru my 70’s until I can retire. Then, I plan to putter around the house and take trips in an RV.”
Cara: “To be able to live comfortably and still do things we want to do.”

How do you pamper each other?
Cara: “I rub her back at night so she can fall asleep.”
Nikki: “I keep her stocked in Pepsi, she may have cans, bottles or 2 liters needed at different times and places.”

About:
Nikki was born and raised in San Diego, California. She was a server in a restaurant for 8 years and now works as a customer service rep for a wireless provider. Cara was born and raised in Valdosta, Georgia. She graduated from Valdosta State with a BA in psychology.

If you would like to be interviewed for future installments of Money & Mates, then please contact nina -at- queercents -dot- com.