Of course, I don't know either of you but I prefer the way your husband was when he didn't spend money needlessly on fancy brand shoes or clothes.

I still have a coat that I bought 50 years ago and still wear in winter. My tee-shirts are worn until they fall off me, as are most of my other clothes. Even my overalls are patched, about 15 years old and were used when I bought them.

There are occasions when purchasing a more costly item is desirable for its quality or function. However, in the main, the 'brand' name products have huge markups and not worth their cost.

I find it sad that we live in an age of rabid materialism and continually fall victim to marketing, peer group pressure, status symbols and what underlies the whole process - conditioning.

Unfortunately, women have generally been and continue to be conditioned to buy clothing for appearance, whereas men buy more commonly buy for function.

Another aspect of conditioning that affects such habits is that it has been normal or usual, until very recently, for men to have been primary providers and conditioned to care for their family and put them before themselves.

Much of this conditioning has been very negative but has been and is real, nonetheless.

I guess that if one has the disposable income to indulge without regard to cost then one might consider it a reasonable thing to buy whatever takes one's fancy.

For myself, however, I can't go along with that. In most cases, I know that I can buy a 'no-name' brand of similar quality to the big name brand but at much less cost. Given the number of people who have little or nothing, I would rather continue to buy that way and help support those without by giving the difference - assuming I have it - to charities which assist those in need.

No, I am not criticising you or 'having a go'. We are all conditioned and changing conditioned behaviour is one of the most difficult things to do. Most of us do what appears to be 'normal' because we are social animals and consciously or unconsciously, want and need to 'fit in'. However, it is possible to recognise conditioning and choose, if one wishes, to move beyond some of it. That is, in large part, what feminism is about.

So, presumably your husband bought some fancy shoes. Good. I just hope that it was a once-off splurge and he quickly returned or returns to his old ways for they are far better for all.

Take care. Stay safe. ☮️