The Little, But Surprising, Things We Give Up Once Married
ByOne of the hardest thing I ever did once married was give up my own car insurance. I am now on Husband’s policy.
Somewhere in my subconscious I equated my car insurance (which I had with one company for more than 20 years and of which I was an “elite member”) as the hallmark of freedom I received when I could first learn to drive. Insurance=mobility.
Transportation was a prized ability where I grew up. When you lived on a horse farm out in God’s country, like I did, you wanted to be able to leave it now and again. (And, taking a horse to meet friends wasn’t allowed.) Getting my driver’s license – and subsequent insurance, which I paid myself from the get-go (unlike so many kids now-a-days) – was my ticket to freedom.
I recall vividly when Husband asked two months after we were married, why don’t you just dump [[nameless insurance company]] and go on my policy? It’s cheaper. (And, it was waaay cheaper.) Rather, I had a visceral reaction, like he suggested I go to prison or something. It took me 12 weeks to think about it before giving in.
I hardly ever think about my insurance now except when the annual payment comes up. But, to this day, it surprises me around the initial impact I experienced by giving up my elite insurance status to become a member of a family group – part of Husband’s program versus having one of my own.
What was hardest for you to give up when you got married?
