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Original poster

DH has £1k on credit cards

29 replies

NemophilistRebel · 29/12/2019 08:40

DH the other day showed me his banking app where all his online accounts are.
I don’t think he realised but I saw his credit card balance which was at just shy of £1k.

I didn’t mention it at the time as it’s Christmas and didn’t want him to feel bad.

Is this something I should be concerned of?

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nrpmum · 29/12/2019 08:42

Ask him about it. Might be that the payment for his credit card hasn't gone out yet so its nearly 2 months showing. Impossible to tell without you talking to him about it.

Genzeee · 29/12/2019 08:43

I wouldn’t be concerned at all unless you are very low earners

SpinjitzuMaster · 29/12/2019 08:44

Our credit card balance is currently £3k.

At a glance that could seem alarming BUT we put all spending through it and clear in full every month. If you've got a cashback/voucher/airmiles etc card then that is a very common approach.

It really does depend on the state of his finances generally.

alwaysmovingforwards · 29/12/2019 08:45

I'm not sure how we could possibly know if this is a concern or not.
For some people that would be a very light month indeed and suggest it hasn't been used much, but for others would put them into dangerous financial territory.

eveshopper · 29/12/2019 08:46

Context?

Fleetheart · 29/12/2019 08:48

How much does he earn, is the 1k being paid off, is it interest free? Are you concerned because you thought you we’re both debt free?

Original poster
NemophilistRebel · 29/12/2019 08:49

He doesn’t use his credit card as a payment card that is cleared in full every month.

We both have the same long term low interest credit cards with out bank which we use for emergency purchases that we tend to pay off over 3 months

Not low earners but it’s more than I imagined

He last time told me it had got up to £500 and was putting £150 a month into it to clear it.

Il be on maternity leave in the summer so earnings will drop so we’ve been generally cutting back in preparation.

OP posts:
Original poster
NemophilistRebel · 29/12/2019 08:50

He earns around £37k

Otherwise debt free

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Fleetheart · 29/12/2019 08:52

I think I’d mention to him that you saw it, and you’re wondering if it would be better to move it onto 0% as he pays it off. There are good deals around which will save you both money.

eveshopper · 29/12/2019 08:55

Ok; On £37k a dent of £1000 isn't worrying. I would be concerned about how it had gone up rather then down though, after he said it was at £500. Perhaps he put his Christmas shopping on it?

Original poster
NemophilistRebel · 29/12/2019 08:57

I think he must have put his Christmas shopping on it, and he had a works night out where he had mentioned his round of drinks was very expensive so I guess he put that on there too.

Il mention it and make sure he’s happy he has a plan to repay it

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eveshopper · 29/12/2019 08:58

I wouldn't worry at all then. It's a very small debt, doesn't seem to be any worrying circumstances that have led to it (gambling or whatever) and it's certainly affordable.

Surfskatefamily · 29/12/2019 08:59

I wouldnt be worried about that if he earns 37k. Its probably christmas shopping etc

Fairylea · 29/12/2019 08:59

With an income of £37k that wouldn’t worry me at all unless he was being deliberately secretive about it.

converseandjeans · 29/12/2019 09:23

I think that's quite low compared to some other people. I wouldn't worry.

Whowantstogotothepark · 29/12/2019 09:28

Hell yes. A debt of 1000 without you knowing about it? I would be concerned and annoyed, regardless of our financial situation.

thickwoollytights · 29/12/2019 09:31

Why is he only paying £150 a month to his CC when he earns £37k? Why not clear it in full?

isitfridayyet1 · 29/12/2019 09:32

I wouldn't be worried about £1k either unless you're concerned he's been making unnecessary purchases. On 37k that should be manageable to clear within less than a year

MrJollyLivesNextDoor · 29/12/2019 09:35

Never ceases to amaze me that people can be married yet have no transparency regarding each other's finances/spending

Original poster
NemophilistRebel · 29/12/2019 09:36

He never buys himself anything but I think his car has had some repairs in the past month that I didn’t think to ask the cost of.
He had a Christmas bonus which he told me he was using to treat us to a mini break before baby comes but I will suggest he pays his credit card off first

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Original poster
NemophilistRebel · 29/12/2019 09:38

I trust him and we otherwise have joint accounts
He can have some privacy and he didn’t hide it from me

Just not obviously been worried enough to mention it

I’m more of a stickler for watching every penny so I can understand that being tiring for someone who doesn’t feel the same way when they are generally good with their money

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Fairylea · 29/12/2019 09:41

I think people have different attitudes to money. For many (my mum for example) she was absolutely ashamed and horrified at the idea of debt. Even small debts. To the point growing up she would attempt repairs in the house herself that were borderline dangerous and we regularly went without stuff we really needed because she would never borrow any money at all even if she could afford repayments. I think that’s a bit crazy. I am more relaxed about debt because of this. I have some credit card debt which is manageable. I always pay more than the min payment but I don’t bust a gut trying to pay it all off in one go. I know I could afford the repayments if I suddenly lost my income (due to other non variable income). That’s the barometer I live by. I think it’s an issue if you’re with someone who has completely different views about money either way. I couldn’t be with someone who judged me for my debt and equally I’ve been with a now ex dh who was completely reckless with money and that was awful too....!

Original poster
NemophilistRebel · 29/12/2019 09:45

Yes my ex was really reckless with money - he would regularly gamble and splurge away £30k and either myself or my parents would be bailing him out.

Probably why I’m now a little unsure if I have an unusual worry over staying debt free

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Murinae · 29/12/2019 09:46

It wouldn’t bother me and my credit card bill is over that this month but I pay mine off in full every month. I would be worried if it was more than I could pay off instantly but do understand that I’m fortunate that we earn enough be able to do that and neither of us are feckless with money.

Original poster
NemophilistRebel · 29/12/2019 09:47

I don’t want to be a penny pincher but due to my history with reckless exh we (I) now choose to live in much smaller house than we can afford and make do so as to stay in the black

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