Who manages the money in your household and why?

Question

I met a man who says he does not "allow" his wife to spend any money or use a credit card unless he gives her permission. She doesnt drive either.
It seems to be working for them, but I wonder how people manage their money, and why it is managed that way?

Answer 1

I manage the money in our house (pay bills, make investments, etc) but my wife has input into all decisions. Major decisions must be agreed on and neither of us can spend more than $5000 without letting the other know (gifts are not an exception).

Answer 2

I manage our household money, because if I didn't my 7 year old would only buy yugiyo cards, and my 5 year old would have us only eating hot dogs.

While it may "appear" on the surface that the example you set is one of control, it may be their agreement - perhaps she's a shopaholic and he has to help her control her urges - or maybe they have a strict budget and those dollars have to be analyzed before spent, or she's overwhelmed by money.

When I was married, I found the best method was for only one person to pay the bills, but for each to have a "slush fund" that they didn't have to account to the other where it went. Our books were on Quicken and either person had access to it if they wanted to "know" something.

Answer 3

I am the one who manages the money in my household because I am good at it. I've never missed a deadline or had any penalty. I'm a smart one.

Answer 4

this guy is controlling freak. i believe , that his wife is not working and he fill so power full to giving her permission to buy and mostly not to buy stuff. every couple i meet in my live with similar situation they luck responsibility for one each other . in my house my money, my husband money go to one pot and we both decide how we gonna to spend them. my husband don't have idea how much we pay for electric,gas e.t.c. , but I'm not interested how much he spend on his lunches or cigars. it's not that we don't know haw much we spend- we trust each other and we know what is our limit. i pay the bills, and budget our income, because i do this better then him. he don't need my permision to buy things he wanted. we use common sense and if we have financial dificulties, he is first to know what is going on.

Answer 5

My wife doesn't drive, nor manage the money, but they are both HER choices :)