They Sleep in Separate Bedrooms, Argue About Money But Say They’re Happy

Cody, 56, lives with her husband in a rented manufactured home in a small town in Georgia. The two contribute roughly equally to the household income and both work outside the home. They eat dinner together at the kitchen table seven nights a week, although Cody says they otherwise don’t spend much time together in any one part of the house.

There’s another major presence in Cody’s life: rescue dogs. She has been caring for dogs at a neighbor’s property for the past two years after finding them in terrible condition. What began as helping care for them has become a significant responsibility, and one she says she can no longer afford to carry alone.

Household income is between $50,000 and $100,000 per year. Cody describes the household she has today as completely different from the one she grew up in. Her husband is a retired preacher. She describes herself as a recovering addict. He once had money; she says she has always been poor. Today, she says, they’re both poor but happy.

What’s on your fridge door right now?

Magnets and pictures.

Who Does What Around the House?

What’s one thing about running your household that you think you do particularly well?

Cooking and taking care of my furbabies.

Walk me through a normal weekday evening in your household.

I would run to the road over from us. There was a set of apartments there, and I met a really good friend. Her name was Ann.

My dad would call her “Fat Ann” — not in front of her. She smoked pot, so… I did too.

I would swim in the pool, eat a bologna and cheese sandwich with Miracle Whip, go home and spend the rest of my time by myself.

Where does your household spend the most time together?

Honestly, we don’t spend much time together in one place.

Is there a room or space in your home you barely use?

Not at all.

What’s one thing your household does that other people might find strange?

We sleep in separate rooms.

What’s one thing you wish you’d done differently?

I wish I’d moved back home to Tennessee when my mama died.

What’s the one house rule everyone in your household knows?

This is my furbabies’ home. People will leave before I lock the dogs up in a cage because someone doesn’t like dogs.

Is there something you or your household spends money on that other people would think is wasteful?

Vitamins.

What would fall apart if you left for a week?

My home and the rescue dogs.

What do you argue about the most?

Money and chores.

How similar is your household to the one you grew up in?

Completely different.

What’s the biggest difference?

God.

What did you swear you’d never do that your parents did?

Cheat.

What’s something about your household you wouldn’t normally admit?

My husband is a retired preacher. I’m a recovering addict. He was rich in the past. I’ve always been poor. Now we’re both poor. But happy!

Anything else you want to tell me?

I do a rescue. It’s at my neighbor’s place, and he’s there 24/7.

I saw the dogs two years ago. They were on their deathbeds. I’ve taken good care of them this whole time. He stopped watering them, so now I do both.

I need help. I can’t afford it anymore, and I’m tired.