Should a husband gives his wife who stays at home a monthly allowance?

Question

Not the allowance for groceries & bills but her own personal allowance to be spent at her discretion?

I don't mean like an allowance for children. More like pocket money...housewives need money too, don't they? They still have their own family members & friends they want to be with and you can't expect them to pay for everything, everytime, right??

Answer 1

Absolutely! The stay at home wife serves as the manager of the household. She manages the children...ensuring they're taken care of, while managing the daily upkeep/maintenance of the home.

As a team, both parties are hopefully allowed a personal allowance (if the household budget can afford such), while all other monies are placed into savings, investments, college educations for the kids and to pay extra towards bills.

Having a budget is important because over time it allows your family to prosper, creates discipline, gives you a sense of relief to plan for retirement one day and hopefully keeps your debt at a minimal amount.

Those that are misconstruing the contents of the question, relating it to being treated like a child are not understanding the concept of the initial question and its importance re: the livelihood of your family. For a more positive swing, call it a "personal bonus" instead of an allowance.

Hope the above helps.

Answer 2

The word allowance is so controlling in a marriage. You're not a child.. you're an adult. The money is 50/50. As long as you can afford it to buy some personal things, then there should be no problem in you taking out whatever you need. I highly doubt he has an allowance is spends money on whatever he wants. I handle all of the money and I know what we have to spend after the bills are paid. If we have extra expenses on a certain payday, like school pictures, paying a bill we don't pay monthly, like the newspaper, then I won't spend as much. But if we have the money and I see something, I'm not going to ask my husband because he knows I can handle the money properly. If you can do the same, then you shouldn't need an allowance.

Answer 3

If you judge your self worth on the money you bring in then you have to fix that feeling on your own. There is nothing anyone can do to make you feel more valuable and from what it sounds like, your husband does not belittle you so I am not sure why you should feel this way. Getting an education is going to help your family in the long run and having a baby is the most important thing humans can do. I guess I just don't see how you could feel that you aren't of "equal value". As a parent and an educator I want you to ignore the person above that advocates daycare at a year or two. Studies show that children with one stay at home parent until entering school (1st grade) perform better than their peers that were in daycare and this advantage lasts throughout their schooling. Kids need their parents- I have raised my son alone for 7 yrs and have sacrificed good paying jobs to make sure I am here for him.

Answer 4

there should be a budget set up so that they both know what is going on with their money and they should both have a percent of the paycheck that is left over after the bills are paid to be able to spend, or save, as they wish. If an allowance is set up for one of them the other should have the same allowance and the rest of the money used to pay bills or put in the bank for future needs.

Answer 5

Why not. She needs to have her own money also that she can spend anyway that she chooses. When you are an at home mom sometimes your needs get over looked. Some people don't see it as work and don't think that you need a break. You need money just for you. You need time also just for you. My husband and I both get an allowance. We both work but this money is just for anything that we want or want to do. Things that normally you would not spend money on. I love having an allowance.

Answer 6

I am a stay at home wife and I think the idea of an allowance is an insult.

I work hard on our home and the money my husband makes is just as much mine as his. I don't ask permission to spend money and neither does he.

I think as a couple you realize you are in the marriage together and you share accordingly. If you don't feel deserving of sharing his money with him, or he does not, then you might not should be building a life together.

Good Luck

Answer 7

Personally I believe she should not have to ask for an allowance and have access to the account equally, obviously both partners need to show responsibility with the money, but if there is true trust she should have access....as long as she is keeping her part of the bargain and maintaining the order at home. My Husband never has to ask for Money from me and Visa Versa.....we explain what we are spending but never have to ask for the others permission (unless its for a car or something out of our budget).

Answer 8

thats not the way I would personally do it.

A stay at home mom also works inside the home -

I think... his paycheck should be deposited into an account. Bills should be paid. And then you just spend (together) whats left over ---- keep track of it daily if you need to and see where you sit. buy the groceries..buy the items for the kids --- etc ---

so, no, I don't believe in 'personal allowances'.... I believe in spending it until its gone : )

Answer 9

I think you should talk to your husband and decide what both of you want to spend your money on. I thinking having a personal allowance is treating you like a child. Set aside a little money for each of you. Remember it is both of your money.

Answer 10

I think an allowance is for children. You should have enough trust in your wife to let her spend the way she sees fit. If that doesn't work, talk about it, but you shouldn't treat her like a child.