How do you tell someone that you don't think their plan is going to work?

United States
August 2, 2012 7:46am CST
I'm really in a tough situation. We have four weeks to move. And the days are counting down. My husband is interested in buying this business. But he will have to travel five hours in one day (there and back) to work from where we are now. We need to find a place quickly to move into. Things are tight trying to move to an area where we are at locally. So moving two and half hours away is not reasonable in the time frame that we will have to move. Our landlord needs us out by September 1st and there is no talking to him about that. He already asked if we could be out before that because his wife would like to have the kids in school but that is just not financially possible for us. Some how my husband needs to see that if we try and do what he would like we are going to be out of a house. The business situation is just not reasonable at this time. How would you tell your spouse something like that? I think I should have his grandma and great grandma talk with him about it, because he will just think that I'm not being reasonable.
2 people like this
15 responses
@Shavkat (137238)
• Philippines
3 Aug 12
That is really a tough you got into. Have you tried to talk to him, if the business is feasible before jump into that venture. Try to talk to him, if it is not possible. Then, go for other options.
1 person likes this
• United States
4 Aug 12
Yeah I have tried talking with him about it. He really has his mind set on this business. Which I can understand that he has been wanting to start his own business and this is a great opportunity that will more likely not come along anytime soon after this. But he has to talk with the bank first and see if we can get the loan for the business. When the bank says that we are approved for the loan then we can move where he would like us to. But until then I have to arrange things as is.
@Vizboy (18)
3 Aug 12
You can just do something that you know always makes him happy you could prepare his favorite me or something like that once you see he is in a happy mood you can easyly take some sense into head and make him see reasons and try to convice him
• United States
4 Aug 12
Thanks for your suggestions. I appreciate them. I will keep trying to talk with him about it. The important thing is for him to get to the bank and see what they have to say about getting a loan. Until we are approved for the loan I have to go through with the plans as if we are going to be staying around this area where our jobs are.
@sender621 (14894)
• United States
3 Aug 12
I don't think that anyone in business wants to hear that their plan of action is not going to work. all you can really do in this situation is to be hineast and straightforward about this person's business and hopes of its success or failure.
• United States
4 Nov 12
Yeah I agree with you. I was honest and straight forward with my husband about this business. I'm glad that I didn't put a lot of time and energy into trying to find a place for us in that area. Because after all time was of the essence in our move. It turns out the person decided not to sell their business. So we are living in an area where we should be and I did the right thing sticking to my thoughts about not really knowing what was going to happen with the business.
• Philippines
2 Aug 12
If you think he's not going to listen to you, then you should find someone to whom he'll listen to for a verbal warning. It's true that it's really difficult to talk to our partner when they're already set on doing or buying something. But your instinct plays a major role when one of you is making a big decision that will affect the family and it's finances. When we were planning on buying a second car, I told my hubby I wanted a small car since my office is within city proper and it's not wise that I'm using a big car. He is working in another province and his travel to office takes about an hour and a half. He travels in mini bus coz it's cheaper and more convenient for him to sleep on the bus instead of driving himself. So while we were planning on which car to choose, he started browsing the net looking for best buys. One day he just turned to me and said, he already found a good buy. It's a Suzuki Jimny, old model- really cute and looked durable, but I thought it was too old already to not have prolems on the maintenance. Our car os a 2007 model and we did not have any maintenance concern since we bought it two years ago. Though I really felt it wasn't a good buy, I couldn't reason out anything to him except that I think it's too old already and we might have problems in the future maintaining it. I said we can opt to wait until we have more money for the car that we will buy and choose another car, a newer model perhaps. I couldn't bend his decision and did not insist further. Now, after three months of using the car, he also wants it disposed already. Unfortunately, the papers were not that complete and even though a lot of online buyers are asking for it, we can't sell it because we don't have the custom papers. Now I'm sad that I did not try to talk him out of his decision when I already felt on instinct that it wasn't a good one. =(
1 person likes this
• United States
6 Nov 12
I'm sorry to hear that your husband didn't listen to you and now you both are stuck with a vehicle you don't care much about. The business plan my husband was hoping to get didn't work out the way that he was hoping for. The individuals who own the business decided they aren't going to sell it. Which I'm so thankful that I stuck to looking for things around here, like our housing. I didn't mention it to my husband but my thoughts proved to be right about the business. We should not have been trying to put a lot into it or plan our life around it when there really isn't a guarantee that we had it.
• India
3 Aug 12
Look...sometimes you can very well convince someone to understand your point of view. But sometimes people just gets stick to their point to prove that they are the only right person. In that case, its better to give just a suggestion and then observe what will be his/her reaction when he/ she will get the result. Best of luck!!!
1 person likes this
• United States
4 Aug 12
Yeah I agree with you. He will have to see for himself how things will turn out. I will go ahead and make plans for us moving around the area here locally since we both now have jobs here. If we are approved for the loan (which he still has to go talk to the bank about) then we can move closer to where his clients will be. We only have a few more weeks and we should know for sure which direction we are moving in.
@sol521 (61)
• Philippines
3 Aug 12
Since you are already married, it would be better for the both of you to discuss things with regards to this matter. Although there were times we misunderstood each other but at least you've been honest with yourself. Try to tell the truth and explain your side in a nice way which is not offensive. Discuss things together and try to further elaborate the pros and cons of the plan.
• United States
4 Aug 12
Thanks for your comments I appreciate it. We have tried talking about it. But in his mind he his the plan as working. But that is generally because I'm the one who does everything. He doesn't comprehend all the work involved in working,packing, and moving. I don't necessarily see his plan working. It's a lot that I would have to get done in a short period of time and while working and taking care of our daughter. So I'm pretty sure that we will be staying locally unless the bank gives us the loan. He has taken to much time and hasn't talked to the bank first like he should have. So we are stuck wondering which direction to go in.
@ravisivan (14079)
• India
2 Aug 12
The situation is you have to move out of your present house as required by landlord. I think here as in Canada landlord can ask for possession at short notice like this and the tenant has to move. You will find one. But regarding moving out --I suggest you go to the place of work -- travelling every day 5 hours up and down is meaningless--causes strain on body and mind --even a small slip on the way one day can cause difficulties --i am not elaborating on this point. be positive. you will get alternative accommodation in the new place good day.
1 person likes this
• United States
4 Nov 12
Thanks I agree with what you said. Driving five hours a day would be very tiresome. We have now been in our new place a little over a month. The business contract my husband was hoping to get ended up not working out. The couple that owned the business decided that they wanted to hold off on selling it.So I'm thankful that I stuck with trying to find a place locally or it would have been a lot harder to get on our feet.
@Bluedoll (16774)
• Canada
2 Aug 12
You seem more concerned about the house than money spent on a business so assuming you are leaving those decisions to your husband. If he makes a mistake he may have to carry the burden later on or on the other hand the business could be a success. As far as the house is concerned you do have some time to find something you like. Maybe search out the possibilities over the next week going full tilt and then say something shocking if there isn't anything suitable? You need a place to live and renting a motel is very costly venture even if it is a business expense.
1 person likes this
• United States
2 Aug 12
Yeah I'm more concerned with us finding a place. We have a daughter and I don't want us to have to live with family members because we didn't get a place like we should have. He hasn't bought the business yet. So he hasn't invested any money into. He hasn't even went to the back to talk to them about getting the loan. I will keep my eyes and ears open and see what we can do. If he talks with the bank and they approve the loan then we can move two and half hours away. But if we can't get the loan we can't afford to move that far and it would then be pointless anyway. I let him take care of the things concerned with his starting a business because he doesn't usually want to listen. He is set in his ways about things. For example for the last month I have been telling him the top priority on his list should be talking with the bank to see if we will even be approved for the loan. If he would have done this first like I suggested we wouldn't be so stressed out. But since he didn't we are all anxious about what our next step will be.
@besweet (9861)
• Ireland
2 Aug 12
I think that when it comes to situations like this and you can clearly see that it's not going to work, you should be honest and say your opinion. Your husband might still want to do this important move and buy the business but you will know that you tried. In any case, he will appreciate that you are honest with him. It's also good to let him know that you will support him with whatever he decides, even if you have a different opinion!
1 person likes this
• United States
3 Aug 12
Yeah I agree with you. I will continue to tell him these things. Four weeks will go by so fast and then we will have to be out of this house. He still hasn't talked with the bank about getting a loan. And I suggested to him that that should be the first thing he does. In order for him to get the business and for us to move to Fort Wayne we will need that loan. So until he gets that clearly set out then we are going to be moving to the area locally.
1 person likes this
@beenice2 (2967)
• Sackville, New Brunswick
2 Aug 12
Lots of men thinks that their wives don't know better, and yet we are the other half and are suppose to work together at the same level in things, yes the man has the last word but that doesn't mean that they are always right and are making always the right decision, so if he doesn't listen to you well then he will probably listen to his grand ma or who ever he usually open his ears to, he should respect your opinion.
1 person likes this
• United States
6 Nov 12
Thanks I appreciate your thoughts. I'm happy that I stuck with my thoughts about staying in this area. It turns out that the individuals who contacted my husband about the business decided not to sell it. So it was definitely a good thing that we didn't try to move over to that area. I didn't say much about it after we found out it wasn't going to work. I just hope now that he will listen more to what I have to say if some other type of situation like that comes up.
• Indonesia
2 Aug 12
ow thats not easy thing to do as you are in complicated situation. Try to discuss with him about what you both want in the future for better life. Explain to him all your thought and do listen to his thought. Don't talk like you are going to stopping him. Just find the right word that make her thinking about what struggle you have.
1 person likes this
• United States
2 Aug 12
I will try and do that. Thanks so much for your suggestion. I appreciate everyone's thoughts about this. I will listen to what he has to say and hopefully he will start to calculate and see that it's not feasible for us to move that far unless he talks with the bank and gets the loan. Without the loan it is already tight for us moving to another place in our area. Time will tell how things will work out for us. I just know that we need a place to live soon.
@Raine38 (12257)
• United States
2 Aug 12
I have a friend who resorts to tears and guilty tactics when she can't get through her husband. And I don't think her way is right because if it does anything, is it just agitates the situation. If he has already made up his mind, then I think no amount of talking on your part will ever change it. But then, you can ask the right and crucial questions. You can say like, you will support him in whatever his endeavor is, but ask him his plans about everything. He's got to have plans or even answers. Do not let him put it off or give you any answer other than a specific one. That way, he wouldn't feel like his decision is being "questioned", but it will also sort of steer his mind to things that really matter.
1 person likes this
• United States
2 Aug 12
Yeah I agree with you tears and guilty tactics aren't a good idea. And I'm much too old for that . No I wouldn't cry about this situation. I will talk with him more like you suggested and hopefully he will see where I'm coming from. But I'm going to continue getting everything ready for us to move into the place that is close to where we are now. If his plans work out (particularly the part where he actually goes to the bank and talks with them about a loan) in the time frame that we need it to then we can move two hours away. But until then my daughter and I will need a home to live in. And then my husband can come live with us once he realizes he's homeless .
@tetris15 (539)
• Philippines
2 Aug 12
You're in a very tough time right now and what I can suggest is first clear your mind of anything, just breathe for a second then focus on the problem at hand. Before you talk to your husband you must be ready to whatever he has to say, whether good or bad. You can lay your cards but don't sound that you're insisting on whatever idea you have in mind. This is the time where you two should be listening, and I mean really listening, to whatever one has to say. Weigh out each options then make up a decision. Time is not really on your side right now so you have to make a decision and stick with it. Whatever the outcome is, it's best not to blame each other. Besides, both of you should be in this together to make it work. Also, don't forget to pray. Good luck!
• United States
6 Nov 12
Thanks for your suggestions. I'm glad that we had to stay in this area. The business contract that my husband was hoping to get didn't work out. They decided not to sell the business. So thankfully we didn't invest in moving to that area and everything else that is associated with a move.
• Philippines
2 Aug 12
There are times in our lives that we find it hard to decide on something especially when both of couples have different point of view. What i can say is that, request for a fixed schedule that both of you could discuss the problem. First asks some further clarification from your husband why he's pursuing that plan. Let him specify both the advantage and disadvantage of pursuing the plan. Afterwards, lay down your cards. Present other disadvantage you saw in the situation. Then, ask him to also hear our your ideas. Another thing to discuss is you must also consider that husbands always look for ways to earn extra money. That's why he's apt for that business. You seem to think the situation is not reasonable since, he wasn't there to assist you in moving to a safe and comfortable place. I suggest let him know that, that though he's busy outside, you certainly need his assistance on moving out. Just a day leave to assist you in everything. As far as i know, engaging in business is better than having a job.
• United States
6 Nov 12
Thanks for your suggestions. Things for the business contract didn't work out the way my husband was hoping. So I'm glad that we were able to stay in this area and find a place to live this way. Otherwise we would be in a tight situation trying to figure out what to do if we had tried to find a place over that way.
• Philippines
2 Aug 12
I guess you have to talk to him first. When he doesn't listen to you, ask his mom and grandma to talk to him. I guess he will listen to them if he will not listen to you. Your situation is really tough. Goodluck, I hope you'll be in better situation soon.
1 person likes this