DH and I are going to try something new.
I notice that because we both don't have a set amount each week to spend, we end up just spending what is in our checking account (obviously not all of it, at the end of the day we still remain within budget).
But DH has been wanting some money for just him that he doesn't want to feel like he has to account for. Money for Christmas presents, lunches, etc. He suggested $50/mo so when things come up, if he wants to buy it - he can.
So I'm going to try doing the same thing.
I've hesitated on the whole "allowance" thing cause I didn't see the necessity to it. But DH told me that he feels like he's been treated like a kid. I think it stems from the fact he is the boss at work but if he wants to spend $7 for lunch at Taco Bell, he has to ask if its okay to spend that so he doesn't put us off balance.
So we're going to try this. I think it may alleviate some stress on my part too. I feel like he's constantly asking for stuff cause he doesn't get an allowance of what he can spend and I never plan for those expenditures.
We'll see how this goes. $50/mo sounds reasonable to account for lunches, hair cuts, presents he wants to surprise people with.
I gave him $17 two weeks ago and he still has some of that left. And he used a portion of it just two days ago to pay for his haircut.
Allowances
November 24th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
November 24th, 2009 at 12:36 pm 1259066179
That's the whole point - to take the pressure off. It's nice to have some "no questions asked" money, particularly in a marriage. For us, it tends to be stuff the other spouse would NEVER buy. It's kind of the "shut up - what do you care" money - LOL.
November 24th, 2009 at 02:28 pm 1259072909
November 24th, 2009 at 03:16 pm 1259075803
November 24th, 2009 at 04:49 pm 1259081359
November 25th, 2009 at 12:52 am 1259110357
For me, it is books or cooking magazines, coffees with friends, makeup and clothes.
For DF, it is beer, tattoo magazines, car parts and takeaway lunches, and little random things he finds at op-shops
Oh, DF gets $80 and I get $65 per week. If we spend less we are allowed to 'save it' for bigger ticket items. I am focusing on paying off my personal loan, and DF wants to get one of his project cars going.
November 25th, 2009 at 01:16 am 1259111770
If I tried letting them spend whatever was in the checking account, I'd end up questioning the wisdom of their choices, too. So this is a way where there's no judgment on how they choose to spend this money.
November 25th, 2009 at 02:43 am 1259116981
$20 week for him - haircuts & cigs.
$10 week for me - ehhhh, whatever I want - usually once a week Taco Bell or something similar. So for the both of us in months w/4 weeks it's $120 total, and ones w/5 weeks it's $150.00 total.
All other expenses such as gasoline, gifts, etc., are covered in the housebudget.
Frugalson gets one out of his earnings as well - $5 a week. He's got no big things he wants, just some pocket change. If he dates, that's covered in his normal budget. Gas, clothes, entertainment, fast food, etc. all have line items in the budget. If he wants something bad enough he carries his debit card.