Basil, what exactly do you mean by saying you want him to "pull it together"?
I could be your husband, based on what you posted, besides the exact ages of the kids. I got sick of her motivational speeches, listening to the tapes/cd's on car trips about how to be a superseller, ("regular jobs are just a measure of time put in..." is straight off a motivational tape!) talking about the car she was going to earn, etc.....She did very well for a while, but then, as sales do, the sales dropped, the income dropped, and it was on to the next "bestest ever!" sales job, where we were going to be very well off as soon as she had her client base established. You hubby knows how you feel, and he feels like a failure. No man wants to be thought of as inadequate by those he loves! Financially or otherwise! I am not surprised he is withdrawn, and choses to spend some cash on the internet, with an "instant clickable shopping fix." I don't have any specific advice for you, I just thought you should hear the other side of things from someone besides your hubby! Good luck!
-------------------- Look ahead to a bright future not yet written.