When David spent our car savings on a trip to Paris for his mom, I was furious. He’d drained three years’ worth of savings without consulting me, and I knew I had to teach him a lesson.

David often makes impulsive decisions, like turning our garage into a gym or building a half-finished treehouse. But this was different—our savings were meant for a new car for our growing family.

After David proudly announced his purchase, I was stunned. He spent our car fund on a vacation for his mom, claiming it was his decision. I was angry, and knew I needed to act.

I called his mom, who was horrified. She agreed to cancel the trip, and the money was refunded. Later, David discovered I’d used the savings to buy the car, with his mom’s help. He was speechless.

I followed up by introducing a new family budget, requiring approval for expenses over $500. David agreed, and from then on, our finances were handled together. Sometimes the best lessons come from actions, and this one hit him where it hurt—his wallet.