SAHM's - do you get an 'allowance'?

I don't need an allowance. If I want or need anything, my husband knows that I should I've earned it.

It hasn't been a problem yet, nor do I see any in the future.

He may be trying, either consciously or subconsciously, to plan for the baby. Children take up a lot of money along with time and effort. You may have to forgo getting new clothes and shoes each time you get a paycheck. Lip gloss and other cosmetics are understandable, but how full does your closet really need to be? I am a SAHM of two and our budget is not what it was before our sons came into our lives. I do handle the finances and we have agreed that we each get $40 of fun money from each check. The rest goes to rent, electric, gas for the cars, food, car maintenance, new shoes for the kids every so often and savings of course. I would say there is definitely a problem if he dosesn't let you have some money to buy sundries and what not, but don't get mad if he doesn't want you to go hog wild.

No, I do not get an allowance however, when I would like spending money or pocket money (no reason money, just a little something to have in the pocket), I tell hubby and he is happy enough to oblige.

As for the unpaid hours of labor I provide, well, there is a roof over my head ($590 I would otherwise have to come up with), misc bills paid for ($350) and finally groceries ($500), I think I am well compensated for the hours in which I put in each month. This doesn't include the spending/pocket money requests (not much, $10 here or there, sometimes $20 depending on the activity).

We handle our finances about the same as you do. I like to know how much extra i can spend each month or when I need to cut back because, like you said, it's easy to overspend if you're not paying attention. I think it's just being fiscally responsible if you both keep an eye on the money and make purchasing decisions together. There's nothing at all wrong with sticking to a budget. I know far too many people who just spend will-nilly as they please and then wonder where the thousands in credit card debt came from.

My husband works, I deal with all the money. I see to paying all the bills, food shopping etc etc. So, it is me who ends up giving my husband money when he needs it. Probably works out best that way for us. My husband isn't that great when it comes to things like that. He wouldn't go out and drink the money, or spend it on stupid things, but he has no clue on things like food shopping about keeping to a budget, nor does he have a 'needs to be done by then' sense. Everything can get done 'later', so no doubt some bills would be getting late payment charges!

I have thought about letting him deal with all the money for a month, see how he copes. But my nerves couldn't stand it! It would probably do him good, he seems to think that every time a purse gets opened, money magically appears!

I'm a WOHM with a SAHD husband and I give us both an allowance.

We have a household budget. Every dollar is spent on paper before it hits our bank account. We each have a weekly allowance that we get to spend however we want. If you want to buy something outside of your allowance, then it needs to be a joint decision.

We have a joint account only and I do an itemized budget at the end of the month. We each start with $100 cash to spend as we see fit. Which isn't always on ourselves. As I see it, what you do is similar to us, just more formal. I don't see anything bad with it, just different.

i'm not a stay at home mom... i'm a scientist as is my husband, we work in the same building different labs.. but!! we each put the same percentage of our income (same salary) into a joint account at the end of the month and then the rest into private accounts each his own.

whenever we touch any amount of money from that account for reasons aside from house, car payments, bills, food and our child's stuff we consult each other and no one is allowed to take a "little extra" without both consulting.

but the rest of our salary is to each their own since no one has the right to the money someone else makes. since you don't have a job i believe it will be fair that you should have an amount that you can take out weekly without explanation for your own uses, but your husband should be allowed to spend whatever he pleases from his personal account (at least i wouldn't never give an explanation from what i spend aside from the joint account )

Well, as a struggling young couple both still in college, we don't really have extra money for either one of us to have an allowance... There is no 'play' money in our budget at this time.

But, I do not think it's a bad arrangement for each party to have their own money. I think that's the way it should be.... I don't really need money for many things anyways... I've learned how to live and have fun without spending money, if that makes sense. When we are finished with school and both in our careers, we definitely plan to each have separate accounts for our play money and a joint account for bills and groceries, etc

my husband works, im a sahm.... i take care of all the bills and finances, hubby never even sees his check, it is deposited into our account and i take care of everything. he lets me know when he needs a little pocket money and he gets it....so i guess you could say i give him an allowance lol.he doesnt want the responsibility of taking care of the household finances.