to ask how much money you have a month that is yours to do what you like with?

[fullofregrets]

Just cos I'm nosey. :)

And also because I have about £150 a month to spend how I like (clothes, going out, birthday presents etc) and DH seems to think that is a lot.

I don't think it is that much, I do pay for DS's gym out of it too actually so that is £5 a week so suppose am left with about £130.

Is £30 a week that much free spending money? I don't think it is! DH probably doesnt buy things has often as me but when he does they cost about four times as much (I buy clothes from asda, he buys specialist golf clothes) so probably averages the same. Also he drinks when he goes out and I don't. Although I do end up stopping everyone home as only sober person which does cost me in petrol instead!

Just wondered.

But luckily we now have two months with no Council tax, so can recoup 5 months worth of £45 and get back to being evenish (as long as no unexpected stuff happens) Still no spare money, but at least not in negative

£50 a week is more than my food budget for 5 (I do a cooked meal for my dad every night as well)

Mmm hard to say, there is quite a lot left every month but generally we'll pay x amount towards our holiday account and y amount to general savings then whatever is left just kind of gets spent by whomever wants/needs it. I bought quite a lot of clothes at the weekend because I've got a work trip coming up and want to look smart and DH needed new glasses, we have both got a few nights out planned this month and a couple of birthdays to buy for - after that there probably won't be much left. I don't think £150 a month is a lot, I know I spend a fair bit more than that on clothes most months and that's before nights out etc but of course it's all relative.

We have about £400 leftover after rent, bills, utilities, food, petrol.

This month my car needed some work and my puppy was ill so the whole lot is gone. Other months we will each buy whatever we want or go out for a few nice meals.

£300 a month after bills, food, rent, travel, pension and savings.

But I have no children!

About £750. That sounds a lot! Minus supermarket shopping for a month- around £500.

I found 100 a month doable but tight but 150 more than enough with left overs going to holiday fund.

It's not exactly to do what we like money as it's all things that aren't monthly stuff. DH had to buy a new bike this month, month before we had to repair a window etc plus presents etc. Our two non council tax months pay our road tax.

not enough

OP what do you do for food shopping etc when your DH is away on business then?

Tbh the actual amounts are not relevant here, and nor is the fact that you don't work outside of the home.

What is relevant is how much your DH has available to him to spend in comparison to you, and whether you can afford to spend what you do. Also relevant is the fact that you have no access to money unless he gives it to you. I am a SAHM and I have access to all our money, and the vast majority of our savings are held in my name.

DH gets paid into our joint account. He takes out a certain amount to cover his regular bills - phone, contacts etc, plus enough to cover his fuel and other work costs for the month. Then he has some that is his 'spending money', so for clothes, hobbies etc.
I take out the same spending money, plus enough for my phone contract, pension and my own personal savings.

I agree that overpaying the mortgage is an excellent idea, but if the OP is being kept in comparative poverty in relation to the family income then that isn't acceptable. Clearly the DH has no clue about how much anything costs, because he lives half his month with his expenses covered by his work.

Oh yeh forgot to mention we have no kids so when we do that money will probably evaporate into thin air

Oh and I spend it on: clothes for work, socialising, haircuts, friends weddings and for the first time this year holidays!

Do you not have a joint account OP? Cause dh will often ask me to get him stuff when I am out and about, but cause it comes out of joint account it isn't like I am buying it for him from my money, if you see what I mean?

No joint account.
Never have had one, I know it seems strange but we just never have.
Yes, DH probably spends roughly same as me but bare in mind around two weeks of the month he is covered by his expenses and also if he does want anything expensive or extra (£700 golf machine anyone?) he will take it out of his 'rainy day fund.' Which I suppose you could say is fair enough, it is his money and he has earnt it and I do think this myself. But I'd still like a bit extra a month, actually out of 'my money' also comes DS's clothes and shoes.

Wow

I honestly had no idea that people had so much in personal spending money.

I need to work harder.

Well why don't you get a joint account, and then if he wants you to get him things you can use that?

What happens if you want something 'expensive and extra'? Do you take money from the rainy day fund too?

You buy clothes and shoes for your DS from that too?

I think he is being very unfair on you, and treating you badly.

OP, that's not good

He has a rainy day fund . Do you have one as well?

After bills, food, dh gym and union, kids swimming, savings for holiday, xmas and rainy day we are left with about £360. DH and I take £30 each to top phones up, buy clothes/make up, going out and the remaining £300 covers petrol, kids activities (dancing etc), birthday pressies, kids clothes and any other miscellanious spends like school trips. Also at the moment I'm doing about £150 of overtime at work each month and that is going towards attending my Dsis wedding and hen do this year which is not working out cheap so far and blitzing the credit card balance so it's clear for emergencies only!

About £3.50!
Well maybe a little more than that; but not enough to not need to stop and think about whether to buy a £10 pot of moisturiser. Less if one of the DC comes begging for something special, then £0.

Negative numbers here. Am always robbing Peter to pay Paul IYSWIM. It'll get better one day...

£1000+ per month.