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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To take full control over dp money/joint bank account.

129 replies

Lastpenny · 27/04/2014 12:30

I don't know if I'm being too controlling or not.

Lived with dp for nearly four years. When we both worked we divided money up for bills ect.. But kept our 'own' money. We've had nice holidays, a few dp has paid for as on more money than me.

We handle our money differently -

I plan and budget, where as dp will leave things to the last min and scrape together the money which stresses me the fuck out especially when were hitting dead lines.

I'm now a SAHM so dp is the bread winner. It's the first time in YEARS I haven't had my own money and I'm struggling with it.

I had originally three bank accounts. 1) dd bills. 2) every day expenses 3) savings.
We now have a joint bank account.

Dp is really bad at managing with money, but now he can't live by the seat of his pants and it's frustrating me so much.

His wages go in to his bank account, then he transfers the bill money in to my bill account, shopping money in to my every day account . He has dd coming out of his account which he won't align or set up to come out of my bills account and let me deal with it - so it's staggered through out the month. He is supposed to put the rest in the joint account, which can take days.

He isn't tight with money, he would give me his last penny, but he is so careless with our money.

Were having to borrow money nearly every month of his DM which I hate. When he puts money in the joint account I assume all his bills have been paid then something come up that he has 'forgot' which basically cleans us out because we hadn't budgeted for it when he got paid. Or when we are really watching the money he will go and spend loads at the farmer market on expensive food as a treat !!!! Angry

He borrowed money off mil the other month for a car because she always said don't use the bank because of interest. I wasn't aware of how much. I also wasn't aware of the fucking rate he has to pay her back! Otherwise I would have said no! If we could have afforded the rate we wouldn't have had to borrow. It's fucked us up.

I have since told her we cannot afford it and offered a reasonable amount.

She now comes round and makes me feel like shit. We treated our self to a chippy tea (under a Tenner) and she called round and complained and said I thought you were skint and said we were "living a Champagne life style on a margarine budget " - hardly!

Were behind on the holiday payments. He actually gets a good wage but just spends money on shit!

He blames the fact I have so many accounts and says it confusing and it should all go in one pot !!! Shock WTF!!
HELL NO!!

When he gets paid this month, I want to see wage slip, I want access to his account, his dds,every thing. I can't live like this any more. I also want to put 50% of the joint account money in my savings account and will release it half way through the month so it doesn't get squandered immediately .

I'm i being controlling ?

OP posts:
Schwarzeneggersgirl · 27/04/2014 13:06

I took control of dp's finances years ago when we were being threatened with bailiffs years ago. We worked out what dp needed to get himself to and from work, lunches coffees, etc then he transferred the rest into my account and I pay everything. I use a ledger so I can go to it on any day and tell you how much we owe. It keeps track of dds. I use only one account but do pay for everything on CC which gives me a track of how much I am spending and on what.

Lastpenny · 27/04/2014 13:07

Thanks for the responses .

Were going to have an intervention tonight.

OP posts:
Lastpenny · 27/04/2014 13:09

schwartz I use cards for that reason. Dp with just draw £50 out for a wander round the market and spend it on shit.

OP posts:
HappyMummyOfOne · 27/04/2014 13:15

YABU and controlling. Its his salary and taking over it and moving it where he cant access it is wrong.

If you want more money and control then work more hours. You could work weekends or nights if you dont want to pay for childcare. Sometimes its worth taking the hit on childcare until school age and its a joint expense not just yours. Lots work and break even just to keep their job going and wages can rise, promotions gained etc. Your employers may offer childcare vouchers to assist.

It sounds like you cant afford to actually SAH for six days a week and expect him to give up everything for that choice.

Blondieminx · 27/04/2014 13:19

Oh do bore off HappyMummy, do you ever have anything nice to say that helps other posters in a supportive way? Your judge pants must give you problems.

Blondieminx · 27/04/2014 13:19

*judgypants

Fairylea · 27/04/2014 13:23

Happymummy - they can afford for her to be a sahm if he doesn't overspend!

TheCatThatSmiled · 27/04/2014 13:26

I don't think happymummy is actually very happy ...

pissedglitter · 27/04/2014 13:27

We have 1 account that all money goes into
I have control of that account
If either wants to spend anything we check together to see if it's affordable

If you feel you need to take control for a while then discuss it with him and see if you could have a trial run
If it works then great if not back to the drawing board

Lastpenny · 27/04/2014 13:29

happy dp works rolling shifts so I can't work nights as have no one to have dd.

If I could work more hours I would. I would indeed put dd n child care but it would cost me more than what I earn which would have a negative impact on our financial circumstances. Dp has given one day a week up from work, so less income just so I can keep my hand in.

It's not just as simple as " work more' I would live to go back, I miss work. I've missed promotions as we can't afford it, I would be paying to go to work. We can't take that hit for three years.

I expect dp to be responsible with our money as he is a grown man.

OP posts:
Preciousbane · 27/04/2014 13:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SoonToBeSix · 27/04/2014 13:32

Yanbu , however your last paragraph was too controlling.

Babelange · 27/04/2014 13:34

OP I think you should get this thread moved to money matters or credit crunch - although the threads there don't look as busy, they are well patrolled by lots of money experts as well as debt-free wannabes.

BTW YY to the money intervention. Personally I am happy with a spreadsheet rather than different accounts - we both work & I do the accounts and apportion what is fair. I grew up in one go those working class households where DM gave DP pocket money which was a problem when DM died & we had to do an intervention on DP!

Ideally it is beholden on both parties to take an interest & financially plan but I think it's OK for one party to be in daily control of finances.

Lastpenny · 27/04/2014 13:35

I would never put the money in a place he hasn't got accesses to it, but if I did that he would be able to see how quickly the money goes rather than a lump sum and it would ensure we had money that last to the end of the month AND hopefully some to save.

I hate not having savings for emergency ect..

OP posts:
ICanSeeTheSun · 27/04/2014 13:36

It may be controlling but someone in the relationship has to take the steering wheel.

If op lets this continues where does that leave. Bills not getting paid, charges on top.

Lastpenny · 27/04/2014 13:37

soon I do agree with you on the last paragraph but I feel like I need to grab the bull by the horns.

Dp earns a fab monthly wage, we should be in this mess.

OP posts:
Lastpenny · 27/04/2014 13:38

*shouldnt

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 27/04/2014 13:39

Is the savings account a joint one OP?

BeyondRepair · 27/04/2014 13:40

No take control

One person has too.

I can see now, after many years together DH and I have very different financial styles, both with + and -.

You try handling for a while and see how it goes....you can both then change back, but keep looking for different ways to make it better...rather than stay in a non working situation.

littledrummergirl · 27/04/2014 13:41

Dh used to be rubbish with money so I confiscated his debit card and gave him cash each month for a while.
It came to a head when I had about 7 in my purse for the last 3days before payday. We went to buy milk and bread plus a few other bits that we needed and he threw a hissy fit because I refused to buy a chocolate bar. I didnt have enough money and refused to use my card as it would have put us overdrawn and incurred a cost.
He is much better now and when I say we are getting low he accepts it. We are now in a reasonably good place now with a little left on occasion.

BeyondRepair · 27/04/2014 13:42

Last, just do it, dont ask people its your bills that need paying, so what - lets say your the biggest control freak ever, and you take control and your finances are sorted out, you have no money wories or stress...

who really cares if you are a control freak if you produce good financial rewards?

your both luky as a couple that one of you have some financial sense

BuggersMuddle · 27/04/2014 13:42

Ah well that's a bit different. I you have to pay to work and have made an agreement that you'll go back in the future he must've understood the implications and should be cutting his coat accordingly.

I think you should have access to all money. Why is it taking days to transfer to J/A? Surely you have a standing order Confused

To be honest it does sound like too many accounts & he needs a system that works for him as well. If DD expenses are known, why would they come out of his account when no other bills do?

Our system is quite simple. Money into personal account, S/O set up leaving us with the same amount of money to spend or save as we choose. J/A covers mortgage, bills and shopping. We have a budget for that but then overpay by a certain amount to allow for overspending / surprises. If it builds up enough would decide what we should do with the extra (mortgage lump sum, towards holiday or something needs replaced in the house).

Lastpenny · 27/04/2014 13:44

worrel no but we do have one that we don't use - hoping to use that for our none existent savings.

beyond thanks

OP posts:
Lastpenny · 27/04/2014 13:48

bugger the bills and shopping get transferred immediately but I set the dd to a week after he gets paid . He doesn't know this though. I did it just incase he got paid late ect..

his dd are debts he is paying off. I suggested he just move them to bill account so I can deal with them

OP posts:
WorraLiberty · 27/04/2014 13:51

Perhaps you should both make all your accounts joint accounts then?

If the savings account is in your name only and you split up, he would have no access to it.

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