Setting a spending limit for additional cardholder?

vandelay

My wife is an additional cardholder on my American Express account, but the temptation of unrestricted and carefree (for her!) spending is unfortunately too much and I need to limit her monthly spending at my expense.

I've looked into prepaid cards but they don't really satisfy my requirements, since if I put £X onto the card each month she would view that as a challenge to make sure she spends all £X each month, rather than spending only what she needs. I also like the payment protection that a credit card provides.

Does anyone have any other suggestions?

Many thanks.

themull1

Take her off as an additional card holder.

vandelay

themull1 wrote: »

Take her off as an additional card holder.

Ha, thanks! :beer:

I'm treading a tightrope at the moment. She's seeing a divorce lawyer this week and that wouldn't go down too well! I don't begrudge her having reasonable living expenses (there are kids involved), but at the same time I can't take the anxiety of not knowing where the money is going and how much extra I'm having to 'find' at the end of each month.

My setting her a 'reasonable' limit would seem to be the right way to go, but I can't find a way of doing it.

smithers1981

Definitely take her off transfer a fixed amount into her bank account each month.

Jonboy_1984

Personally I would be looking to agree a monthly cash allowance as soon as possible and remove the card.

hillcats

As suggested I'd agree the best thing for you is to get her card stopped and give a set agreed cash allowance but ensure this is by bank transfer to create a paper trial as later on she could try to say you've paid nothing towards the kids / house / bills etc.

vandelay

hillcats wrote: »

As suggested I'd agree the best thing for you is to get her card stopped and give a set agreed cash allowance but ensure this is by bank transfer to create a paper trial as later on she could try to say you've paid nothing towards the kids / house / bills etc.

She is a SAHM so I pay the mortgage, all the bills, food shopping etc and a personal allowance into her bank account each month. As far as I can tell the card spending is 'incidental expenses', but it's several hundreds of pounds each month.

I shall broach the subject of making it a fixed monthly sum instead - wish me luck!

dealer_wins

vandelay wrote: »

She is a SAHM so I pay the mortgage, all the bills, food shopping etc and a personal allowance into her bank account each month. As far as I can tell the card spending is 'incidental expenses', but it's several hundreds of pounds each month.

I shall broach the subject of making it a fixed monthly sum instead - wish me luck!

No need for luck. You tell her thats what you are doing, and do it.

dotdash79

Tell her to get her own card and to submit expenses to you each month, you will then approve or reject.

Remember to ask for vat receipts.