Financial Control Isn’t Love

Written By Elizabeth Tubridy

For years, money was used as a weapon in my marriage.

He always said because he worked more hours his money was his and mine had to go towards all the bills. I wasn’t allowed to buy little things without a fight. If I went to the Dollar Tree to get my child a small toy as a thank you, it would turn into an argument. If I bought myself a coffee it was a problem.

But he could go to the bars, get drinks, buy whatever he wanted- that was fine.

Every tip I made I had to report. Every purchase I had to justify. Eventually I stopped feeling like an adult, a partner, or even a person who deserved joy.

Financial control is abusive. It’s not love.

And if you’re in that kind of situation right now, I want you to know- you’re not alone. You deserve freedom. You deserve safety. You deserve to make your own choices without fear.

I’m not sharing this for sympathy, but for strength- because someone out there need to hear this.

And you rise from this. I did. And so can you!

Where in your life are you confusing control with love- and what would freedom look like instead?

Elizabeth Tubridy

I’m Elizabeth — a mother, creator, and woman who has learned what it means to rebuild from the ground up.

This space was born from a season of deep change. After walking away from a life that no longer felt safe, aligned, or true, I began the quiet work of healing — not perfectly, not quickly, but honestly. What started as survival slowly became self-discovery, and then something more: a return to myself.

Through writing, reflection, and creativity, I share the truths I once silenced. Stories about emotional healing, motherhood, boundaries, resilience, and learning to choose yourself after years of putting everyone else first. This blog isn’t about bitterness or blame — it’s about clarity, growth, and reclaiming your voice.

Alongside my writing, I create under Earthly Enchantments — nature-inspired pieces rooted in calm, intention, and magic found in small moments. Creativity has always been my anchor, a way to process, express, and reconnect with joy.

If you’re here, maybe you’re navigating your own season of becoming. Maybe you’re learning to trust yourself again, or simply looking for proof that it’s possible to start over — gently, bravely, and on your own terms.

You’re welcome here.

https://www.earthlyenchantmentsnh.com
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