Who is in charge of your finances (Full Version)

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Beck34 -> Who is in charge of your finances (6/8/2008 3:42:20 PM)

My husband takes care of the primary bills in the house because I am terrible with money. Now that he is going to be on the road all of the time, I will be paying the bills. Should I just have him write checks for everything, and go pay them with it?



3cappuccinosmom -> RE: Who is in charge of your finances (6/8/2008 4:43:46 PM)

You could also have him set up automatic bill payment, so that the money just automatically comes out of your account, without having to bother with checks.

OTOH, this might be a very good opportunity for you to be a helper to your husband and learn the very important skill of basic finance management. I am not great with numbers and don't have a great memory, but dh has asked me to do the finances, and I have learned. I made a few mistakes, some late bills, but it wasn't actually as hard as I thought it would be.



Row1 -> RE: Who is in charge of your finances (6/9/2008 9:33:29 AM)

well, neither of us is really great with money.
but, we sat down a year and a half ago and set up a monthly budget.
on this same budget page, we have our info on how to pay each bill: like the web address for logging in to pay online, plus the due date. or the address if it gets mailed in.

the budget has a check box for whether we have done that budget item for each month (paid a bill, put aside portion for tithe, allowance, gas, etc.).

so, either of us can do the monthly budget/ money / bill paying.

I am better at getting this done, so I usually do it. But some times, my wife does it so she stays in practice.

Individually, neither of us is that great. But together, we are great at setting priorities, being on time, avoiding temptations to spend, etc. with our money.

It puts us on the same 'page' rather than arguing over things to spend money on, like more cable channels or cell phone features, or buying more clothes.

PM me if you want to see my budget page. I will blank out the specific info but leave the structure so you can see how we do this. -Row1



notmycity -> RE: Who is in charge of your finances (6/9/2008 5:37:03 PM)

I've turned over the bill-paying to my wife when she became a SAHM.

We meet at least weekly to discuss in-flows and out-flows, and she keeps me up-to-date on current balances of checking and savings. I also double check with the credit card company to keep my balances in check.

Either way you work it, both should be aware at least weekly of the above info if you’re to be effective with your finances.

Don't forget to pray and apply Scriptural principles to spending as top priority.



Beck34 -> RE: Who is in charge of your finances (6/10/2008 3:56:37 AM)

Thanks so much! Great ideas. My husband found a way for us to work it out that I think will be good. We both have prayed about it and feel that this is the way to go. We are also hoping that I can switch to day shift so that I can be at home with the kids after school, but I can still work. I know that whatever happens, it is the will of the Father.



redeemedsaint -> RE: Who is in charge of your finances (6/12/2008 2:21:54 PM)

Me because I take care of myself.



Beck34 -> RE: Who is in charge of your finances (6/16/2008 2:23:11 AM)

I hope that you are happy. That sounds very lonely.



Tinkerbell_ -> RE: Who is in charge of your finances (6/16/2008 9:24:37 AM)

I agree with redeemedsaint. [:)]



Harvie -> RE: Who is in charge of your finances (6/16/2008 8:40:24 PM)

I pay all the bills ... my husband is often gone.



bzirk -> RE: Who is in charge of your finances (6/16/2008 9:59:53 PM)

The first 13 years of marriage, I paid the bills, and the last 12 years my husband has paid the bills, but we're both in charge of the finances. It's a partnership no matter who is actually writing the checks and reconciling the bank statement. I guess what I'm saying is that I do not think of being in charge of the finances as merely paying the bills and making sure the checking accounts are in good shape. There's more to it than that. There are decisions about purchases, insurance, investments, etc. as well as paying the bills. So figuring out how to physically pay the bills is not a big problem. What we do is pay the bills twice a month, and perhaps your husband can explain to you what needs to be paid when, and you can write those checks out at that time and send them off. If it's about reconciling, maybe he can still do that via the internet.

Just some things to think about.

edit:

One more thing. My husband never thought he was good with money either -- at least not with tallying bills and taking care of a checking account. Then I had a nervous breakdown and he had no choice. It was amazing how well he's done this, because he knew he had to do it. I think many times there are people who call themselves being terrible with money when really it's just a matter of will. With all the computer programs available, you don't even have to be good at math to keep a checking account.



thorkraki -> RE: Who is in charge of your finances (6/17/2008 4:24:35 PM)

My wife does all the books, for our households and for our business interests, because she has an MBA from Wharton and because I can't add without using my fingers!



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