This week we hear from Deb and Madelene, who talk about saving for a house and the joys of a partnership.

1. How long have you been together? 11 years.

2. How did money first come up in your relationship?

The first time we got an apartment together, we found ourselves spending more than we made; living beyond our means. We have a ten year difference, and since I was younger, and more naà ¯ve, I take the blame for the mindless spending.

3. Checking and savings accounts: Joint or separate?

We both have separate checking accounts, and we made one joint savings account together.
4. What is your worst habit around finances?

Deb: Spending money like water in restaurants and high end bars. Madelene: A bad business venture.
5. Do you rent or own and how do you divide the bills?

We rented in the past and when finances came tumbling down on us, we moved into an apartment upstairs from my parents. This is worse than living above “Everbody Loves Raymond’s” parents. Too close for comfort. We give my mother rent, and we are saving for a house right now.

6. What is the best gift your mate has ever given you?

Deb: Well, I could say a new car because of the cost, but my ‘favorite’ gift was her saying yes to me when I proposed to her at our favorite restaurant.
Madelene: A beautiful diamond engagement ring with her promise of love.
7. Did your parents ever disagree about money? How did they handle it?

Deb: Yes. My dad always spent way too much, while my mother hoarded the cash away somewhere. They handled it well because there was always more money than needed”which helps.

Mad: Yes. They argued a lot, but shared a lot of the responsibilities. My father worked a lot of overtime at the phone company and my mother stopped working to raise the children.
8. What is your most significant memory about money?

How we always have what we need, even when we’re doing not so good. I remember one day, I prayed to God to help me with my finances (which I rarely ask God for these things) but, the next day, I received a check for nearly a thousand dollars due to money owed to me by the government. It was quite a surprise! Prayer definitely worked in my favor…so I thank God for that one!
9. What is success?

Success for the both of us means able to spend time with your family and friends”yet having enough money to be comfortable and at ease. To have love in your life and giving love back in return.
10. What would you do with your life if money weren’t a consideration?

We would live the rest of our lives in the Hamptons. This is our favorite vacation spot.
11. What’s been your worst disagreement around finances.

A business venture that failed. Madelene took a high risk, and I wasn’t very understanding.
12. What are your plans for retirement?

Playing shuffleboard on some cruise ship going nowhere, drinking martinis and dancing away as best we could with our walkers. Our real dream would be to live the rest of our lives out in the Hamptons”somewhere near the water.
13. How do you pamper each other?

Madelene always rubs my back, my feet, and makes sure I’m always comfortable. I pamper her, by cooking her favorite meals and taking her out to her favorite restaurants.

Deb is a 32 year old feminine lesbian. My love for God is above all. My favorite person is Madelene. I’m very family oriented”family always comes first. I’m a photographer, writer and a musician. I grew up in New York and plan to retire in New York. I recently just published a book called, “A Prayer Away From Healing“, by Debra Pasquella, which can be found on Amazon. It’s a book geared for gay & lesbians trying to find acceptance in their religion and based on relationships and forgiveness.

Madelene is a 42 year old feminine lesbian. God is always first. I’m crazy about my girlfriend and I feel like our relationship is still fresh and new. I love to travel with her and dine with good friends. We are both family oriented which is the bind the holds us together.