Spouse spends too much!

Been there done that with recreational toys like boats, motorcycles etc! I was against and my spouse wanted them. You have to discuss this. Hard times come when you least expect them and boy that can really make for a miserable life if you have not prepared... putting something aside and keeping debt to a minimum. Make a plan together, set some guidelines that you both agree on. Both of you should stand firm when the other is weak and wants to do something outside the plan. Good Luck.

Number one buying decisions should be made as a couple. Im not saying that Every purchse has to be cleared, but really when you are just scraping by then there is something called self control. My husband for instance is horrible at keeping the checking account ledger. And at the same time feels the need to have the credit/ debit card. We had to have a major discussion recently because he thinks the plastic is magic. Like it automatically adds money to your account as you spend it. Some of things he bought were for our household, but they werent needed right then. He could have waited until we had some money saved before taking it upon himself to make the decision without me. This has been a continueing issue so last week I finally took the card away from him. He pulls out money he needs for the week for gas and lunch and those things, but when its gone its gone. I was tired of trying to figure our where all of our money was going and when someone doesnt save you reciepts to balance your checkbook...well thats just a pain in the rump :)

any credit card spending at this time is just crazy. however i think as long as the bills are paid and you have a few bucks to treat yourself to something nice then you need to do that. I would not be buying any big ticket items and i sure would not be putting anything on a credit card. but denying yourself all the time leads to resentment and that is no way to live

If the spouse is only buying things they want for themselfs and it is putting a financial burden on the family, then something must be said to him. It is hard to discuss, especially if it is his own money that he is spending. You simply have to ask him what is more important, his material goods our the financial stability of his own family. Hopefuly he is resonable enough of a person that he will make the right decision.

I'm not married yet but I'd think that major spending should be discussed. Even little spending if its is adding up to hundreds at a time should be discussed. I'd talk to him about it and if he didn't lay off the spending I would be very tempted to take the card or even just have the limit lowered.

I actually control the finance in my family, because my husband would spend everything if he got the chance. "Saving" is just not a word in his dictionary. I transfer an allowance into his personal bank account weekly, and he uses that as his spending money. He doesn't have a credit card - if he needs to get something on credit, he has to come through me. It might seem harsh, but it works. Sometimes I get a bit annoyed about always having to be the responsible one, but I think overall he appreciates it. His lifestyle has certainly improved because the money is well spent, not wasted every week.