how can i get my husband to stop spending stupidly?

Answer 1

You both need to get on the same page financially. I suggest you both attend Financial Peace University (FPU) together or read The Total Money Makeover both by Dave Ramsey.

You both need a budget- which includes "blow money" for each person. It doesn't matter who makes what- you are married- you need to work together financially. Separating accounts won't help the marriage.

Answer 2

Who makes the money? is he allowed to keep some of his earnings for sundries?

Does he understand the trade-offs? I.E. if we go out to eat, we don't have money for gas or groceries?

Are you guys in agreement on what your financial goals are?

In some ways marriage is a contract and there should be mutual understanding of what some of the terms are, including financial responsibility. Otherwise you guys have to talk about how much you are willing to deviate from what was already negotiated.

If he is really irresponsible -such as a compulsive gambler I'd say leave.

Answer 3

Separate accounts. My husband and I used to fight about money and different types of spending habits all the time, until we finally got separate accounts. Now, we keep three - his, mine, and ours. We each put all but our "allowance" in the "ours" account to pay for the house, cars, groceries, kids' things, birthdays and Christmas gifts funds, etc. Then, we put our "allowance" in our own accounts, and this is what we use to pay for lunches out, fancy coffees, golf (his weakness), and clothes (my weakness). Sit down and talk to your hubby about the problem first, then suggest this as a solution - he has got to buy into it or he'll just go get another credit card or something. But assuming he is willing to participate, try this solution - it worked for us.

Hope this helps.

Answer 4

Bobbitize his wallet!

I mean, in the short term, curb his spending: only give him enough money to spend on basic stuff, lock up the credit/debit cards so he doesn't have free rein on the credit limit.

And you two need to really sit down and figure out your priorities in life. It's the only way you're going to figure out if you can translate that into other parts of your life, including finances.

Answer 5

You probably can't unless he wants to stop. Then you could sit down and plan out a budget, leaving each of you some amount to spend on just anything you want to.

Answer 6

Spending wisely requires self-control. If he has none, you can try to challenge him to develop self control.

Perhaps use the carrot-and-stick approach and "save up for something fun" together...?

Answer 7

I hope the credit cards aren't in your name or joint or you could suffer if it gets too out of hand - tell him he has to pay certain bills with his money and if he keeps running out of money, then kick his @ss to the curb

Answer 8

collect his ckecking account and charge cards. give him a weekly budget.