Pocket Money - How Do You Do It?

Peppa_Pig_5 · 26 February 2006 at 3:19PM

I get paid monthly, so together with extra benefits they pay off our monthly bills. My husband gets paid weekly, so our childcare/groceries/petrol and spending money come out of this. Any left over is extra to pay off debts.

Now my dilema at the moment is how much should we get spending money. We usually have about £60 per week, which will be spent on booze, maybe takeaway (but not every week), but most of it would be used by my husband smoking and for coffee machine/snacks in work. I would spend £5 at the most. Now my husband has given up smoking for the last week and is putting about £20 a week in a jar. I am glad he is giving up smoking and the money is an incentive for him. But I am feeling a bit selfish 'what about me?'.

Would love to know what other couples do, do you have your own pocket money? Or anyone who has any advice for me?

Thanks
Peppa
x

mintymoneysaver · 26 February 2006 at 4:17PM

We have the same amount of 'me' money each month,£250 which covers our own personal credit card bills,nights out, clothes, football for dh etc.
I know we're lucky to have that much,but just showing you how we work it.
If it's £60, couldn't you just split it equally?

mdeebee · 26 February 2006 at 4:22PM

I have my own money. It's mine. I work hard for it. I spend it wisely, but I spend it how I choose.

You can tell I've been ripped off in the past, can't you?

LOL.

rdwarr · 26 February 2006 at 4:34PM

mdeebee wrote:

I have my own money. It's mine. I work hard for it. I spend it wisely, but I spend it how I choose.

My daughter's OH is the same. He chooses to spend all his income on going out with his mates and buying cigarettes and luxuries. She is then able to spend her income (which is half of his) on rent, council tax, bills and food :mad:

mintymoneysaver · 26 February 2006 at 4:39PM

Our me money is after we've paid all the bills equally, and put anything left over in building soc to pay credit cards.
I really don't like it when couples deal with things unfairly.
Now and again my oh will say 'I give you.....'
to which I reply no, you use me to pay your bills with it...

*Sparkle*_3 · 26 February 2006 at 4:42PM

£60 a week is alot for just general spending on things you dont need!!

Your situation seems like you keep things separate, like for instance your signature.
It says his debt and your debt, is it not our debt?

Have you tried talking with your other half about it?

(Just trying to see how things work in your household)

Alleycat · 26 February 2006 at 4:58PM

We don't have his and hers debts. OH took out a loan to pay off my overdraft. It is in his name as my credit rating is shot, but it is still our debt. Same with credit card and loan to my dad. Although we may have come into the relationship with our own personal debts, we are a couple and so share our income and expenditure.

Re spending money, we have the same amount each. OH smokes and so spends half of his on fags, but that is his choice. If he wants to have more to spend each month, then he can quit. I think it is easier to have separate spending money, then you can't have a go at each other if one decides to blow a load on something random. Its your money to do with as you please so less arguments.

mom23 · 26 February 2006 at 5:02PM

We do not have spending money as such, once all the bills are paid, and either i my oh or the kids need something it is then discussed and decided,
eg it is my ds2 birthday this wk so any spare money is focused on this!!
I am really chuffed with myself as this is the first time in years that i am actually able to pay CASH for ds2 birthday present!!! :j

mdeebee · 26 February 2006 at 5:34PM

rdwarr wrote:

My daughter's OH is the same. He chooses to spend all his income on going out with his mates and buying cigarettes and luxuries. She is then able to spend her income (which is half of his) on rent, council tax, bills and food :mad:

Then we are very different types of men - I am one of the good 'uns! I don't have to provide for anyone else, which is probably a good thing.

Peppa_Pig_5 · 26 February 2006 at 5:54PM

Thank you all for your replies, just to clarify that I do see them as joint debts. It just makes it easier for the signature as some interest rates are different. We have had a joint current account ever since we got married 13 years ago and I seem to have taken control of the finances and give my husband money every week, however do not really give myself much. Mainly because I do not want a lot, I would rather see our debts go down. But maybe I shouldn't do that and give myself more!

ms_london · 26 February 2006 at 5:59PM

If you split your surlpus money between the 2 of you - that way what you do with it is up to you. If you want to save a bit of that £60, then you can - perhaps split the cost of takeaways, or you buy one & then he can buy the next one.

xx

Pocket Money - How Do You Do It?

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