Can someone PLEASE explain to my wife how NOT to OVERDRAFT the joint checking account?

Question

She should know better but it happens all too often.
Don't bother to talk about the consequences, I know that part.

Answer 1

If you find out, please let me know

Answer 2

You have a couple of options. You can apply for overdraft protection for your account with your bank. It does require a good credit rating, simply because it is considered a loan. If you are approved, it will save you on fees. Second, if you have the extra money, deposit it into the account, but don't add it into your register so that you forget its there for just in case purposes. I know it sounds easier said than done. Especially if you have internet banking for your accounts, or use a bank by phone where you get your balances, or like many of the customers I encounter, constantly going to get print outs of transactions on their accounts. All else fails, take the checkbook away and the debit card and give her an allowance each week. It may be the downfall to your relationship, but tough love works.

****For the record, an ATM doesn't always give you your correct balance, so don't rely on that.

Answer 3

Whoa! You do not have just a money problem, but a marriage problem. The truth is, you cannot trust your wife to act like a grown-up. This is very sad & will likely lead to a divorce if you two do not get "on the same page" ASAP. I STRONGLY suggest that you make an appt with a marriage counselor THIS WEEK. Then, you need to to get a copy of Dave Ramsey's "Total Money Makeover" book. It will give you both a practical, workable plan for managing your money, making a budget, etc. I do not advocate separate checking accts b/c I think you are setting yourselves up for a divorce (this is often a precursor to one). However, if after regular counseling, your wife continues to act like a 5 y/o princess, you may have no other choice but to protect yourself from her bull & decide whether you want to live like this for the rest of your life.

Answer 4

You should sit down TOGETHER each week and discus your finances. Make a list of the bills coming due and show her how much (or little) is being deposited. Make sure you both record the checks you write and the debits you make via your check cards and credit cards. I'd suggest buying duplicate checks so you always have a record of how much the check was for.

ASK HER what she will need for the week., Show her how much you have left over after expenses. Keep her involved in the finances so she knows where you stand.

Good luck!

Answer 5

The easiest explanation is "the money has to be in the account, before you write the check." If she can't handle that revelation, I'd suggest that you close out the account, and you take over the writing of the checks. I've a friend, whose soon to be ex-wife, couldn't grasp that concept either.

Answer 6

The best thing to do is to take her off the acct and have her open one of her own when she starts overdrafting her own acct maybe she will learn to be a lil more responsible.

Answer 7

why don't you balance the checkbook on the computer and then tell her what the balance is? that's what my husband does, and i'm fine with that. if she isn't responsible enough to keep a control of her spending, then that's something that you need to talk to her about.

Answer 8

keep checkbook balenced and if needed go to a atm and always keep checking balence but to get a true balence you need to not write a check for about a week