£50 a week too much pocket money?

Sallys_Savings

I think thats a pretty good idea of whatatwit......he might just put his left over money in too

whatatwit

Whilst he *could* make his own lunch, it's easier for him to pick something up whilst he's at work.

You could save him a job.

medman

Hi

I think the idea of unaccountable pocket money is a really good system. But the figures should be affordable and equitable, while maximising debt repayment.

One suggestion...find out roughly what he spends on lunch each day and then offer to under-cut it. So if he spends £2.50, offer to provide a packed lunch for £1.50 and place the money in a savings pot. A couple of months of that and he'll probably have better lunches and be amazed at what savings have been made.

Things like that can be fun too, you can surprise him or make him laugh when he opens it.:j

MM

crawley_girl

I like Medman's suggestion of charging for a lunch. You mentioned that he is trying to lose weight, maybe you could do a 'weight-loss lunch' which he may appreciate or maybe not...!!! Chose your words carefully here...

I agree with others that you should each have a wee bit of money that you don't need to account for. Not sure how much though, I guess it depends on your income and outgoings and what you can afford out of your budget.

I also thnk that you need to remember that although you work 20 hrs in paid employment and he works 48 hrs, you said that you provide the majority of your childcare which I would assume is unpaid... equal rights for equal pay and all that!

Good luck

:heartpuls CG :heartpuls

abbecer

Tell him nicely that you have been looking at the finances and would really like to work hard to pay debts off quicker. Suggest very nicely to him that you BOTH cut your spending by £5 per week which would give you an extra £520 off your debts. I know you don't know what you spend but i am suggesting both so that he doesn't feel like he is been singled out. £5 per week shouldn't make a massive difference to him.

Rebecca x

all_hours

I like the idea of selling him his lunch.

I don't know if £50 a week is too much it depends what else he spends it on. Does he go to the pub after work or at weekends?

He's working 48 hours + walking to work so I can understand him wanting some me money to spend. With all the debt being on 0% it probably doesn't seem as urgent to pay it off.

I'd also go with the other suggestion of giving yourself a set amount and keeping a spending diary so that you can show him how careful you are with money.

Sugarhunny1

Thanks for all your replies. Today is the first day of my spending diary so i'll keep posting what i spend and what on.

I'll also suggest he 'buys' his lunch from me. I guess the thing that bugs me is that i know i dont get £50 and if i did thats £400 in total. nearly a quarter of our income. We cant afford that luxery.

I'll report back soon with my wee spending diary!

Sugar xxx

Imelda

Why don't you suggest that you share say £60 per week. You can put it in a jar and have a little competiton to see who can spend the least. Any money left over gets saved either towards your debts or for a treat for the two of you (a trip to the cinema or something). That way it is more of a joint enterprise.
Lunches- defo start making them for him, not only will it save money but you can make them healthier for him.

Bambywamby

The question you aksed...do we think £50 pocket money is too much whem combined wages total 20 thousand a year and your paying off debt.

Firstly, you should both have the same amount of "free spending allowance" per week.

So thats £100 per week
Which makes £5200 a year
So a quarter/25% of your money goes on personal allowances.

That is what you have to look at...until you have paid off your debt should a quarter of your money be made so disposable.

For me it would be a no. However, the answer is yours to decide.

Sugarhunny1

Bambywamby wrote:

The question you aksed...do we think £50 pocket money is too much whem combined wages total 20 thousand a year and your paying off debt.

Firstly, you should both have the same amount of "free spending allowance" per week.

So thats £100 per week
Which makes £5200 a year
So a quarter/25% of your money goes on personal allowances.

That is what you have to look at...until you have paid off your debt should a quarter of your money be made so disposable.

For me it would be a no. However, the answer is yours to decide.

Gosh that sums it up totally and is my feeling on it but i dont think he would be so reasonable!

Bearing in mind that the kids aren't his (from my ex-husband) but he treats them like his own and shares all the responsibilities for them. 25% (estimate) of the total debt belongs to me (before we got together) and i think that the rest amassed from overspending and a new car.

I like the idea of a shared pot and we try and spend the least! Might try and mention it tonight. Although last night we had a wee tiff and he was going on about 'what has he to show for all his hard work' I took it quite bad and said 'guess thats your true feelings coming through about me and kids'

Gosh this goes alot deeper than the first question!

Sugar