I can't speak for all Christian relationships, or any for that matter since I am the only believer in our marriage but dear Reni, I think you have been mislead into thinking that submissive wives are close to slaves.

I submit to my husband and not once in our 15 yrs has he ever ordered or commanded me to obey as you had put it, I do so because it is my own decision. He listens to my side of the story and takes my words into account when he is making the final decision. Once it's final, it's final and I refrain from whining that the decision didn't go my way.

When we were first married, I took into the marriage all of the feminist training my mother and other women in my family instilled in me; making sure that my voice was heard, loudly even, doing as I wished because I was his "equal". In 5 short years I was sitting at a lawyers office filing for divorce.

While waiting on papers to be served, a friend suggested that I read a few scriptures and that's when I realized, I was the one being selfish & overbearing! I was trying to fulfill both my role as wife and his role as a husband. No wonder we were always in a constant battle, I was trying to take complete control while he was trying to just take control of his responsibilities. (He may not be a believer but he was raised in a very religious family and saw first hand what the Biblical role of husbandry is to be.)

Now, as for me being a dress twirling, high heel shoe shopping, make-up wearing feminine woman... forget it. I didn't do that frilly girly junk when we dated, I certainly didn't pick it up because I decided to embrace my feminine duties. My husband would never "require" that I did either, actually when it comes to my appearance, the only thing he has ever ASKED (not demanded) me to refrain from is chopping off my long hair for a short bob or pixie cut. For me that request is an easy one to oblige because it's not my personality.

Something for everyone to think about... while you are getting used to setting aside "X" amount of dollars for the next few weeks for Christmas, why not continue that habit into the new year? Even if you're setting aside half of what you are doing now, that is going to be SO much more helpful if/when you do this again come October of 2015.
I know it's not feasible for all, but it's worth a shot. Or you can go the route my husband and I choose and that's setting aside "X" amount of dollars we receive from our taxes... providing you get money back that is. Just a thought. :)

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I've been using cash for Christmas for so long, I actually forgot about people using credit cards to purchase gifts. As for the American average of $750, that's craziness! Last year I bought/made nice, lovely, useable gifts for all 9 members of the family and didn't even hit $300. How many people are the average American person putting on their shopping lists?
Savings goal is $0.00 this week. We already have our entire budget saved. My budget this year is more but I'm hoping to use the excess to help local charity drives, which is something that has helped us in past years. Feels so great to be debt free. What you are doing/encouraging is fantastic.

Never knew that about Business class seats! Then again, I've only flown twice for vacations.

Growing up in the 80s/90s the topic of most conversation was... "What career? What do you plan to do with your life?" All I wanted was to be a wife & mother. Sure some jobs sounded nice like accounting because I love number or restaurant owner because I love to cook. Yet I sit here as a SAHM doing exactly what I had hoped I'd ever do.

Went to college, obtained an associate degree, worked in many different fields, and none have been as satisfying as staying at home to dote on my hard working husband, molding my impressionable children, and tending to my tiny dwelling.