Who holds the purse strings?
By Kandase
@Kandae11 (55783)
August 16, 2018 9:13am CST
Holding the purse strings is slang for having control of the money in a household, company, etc.
for example - if the wife is the breadwinner in the family and gives her husband an allowance - the wife holds the purse strings, and vice versa. In some cases, even when the husband is the breadwinner - the wife might still have a firm grip on the purse strings.
When both husband and wife contribute financially - who then holds the purse strings? Is it one or the other or a joint effort?
Who controls the money in your household?. Must you give an account to husband or wife of every penny that is spent?
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27 people like this
31 responses
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@1hopefulman (45114)
• Canada
18 Aug 18
When I was married I took care of the finances at they were terrible with money. We lived comfortably and saved some.
2 people like this
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@1hopefulman (45114)
• Canada
18 Aug 18
@Kandae11 I let them keep what they earned to do whatever they liked. I paid for all the expenses. I took an early retirement. However, thanks goes to God for all his help.
1 person likes this
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@JamesHxstatic (29413)
• Eugene, Oregon
17 Aug 18
Anne and I were both independent when we met. We decided to each have our own account and each contributes to a household account as well. We have no accounting for money.
3 people like this
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@JamesHxstatic (29413)
• Eugene, Oregon
17 Aug 18
@Kandae11 It works well for both of us.
1 person likes this
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@JohnRoberts (109846)
• Los Angeles, California
16 Aug 18
There is only me, myself and I.
3 people like this
@porwest (96158)
• United States
17 Aug 18
In our house I hold the purse strings. Every penny goes through me and is disbursed by me. But I am also the one who has the 'know how' when it comes to investing. That being said, my wife pretty much can do what she wants. I will only question her if she gets out of hand, which is rare. She is not as good about money or with money as I am, but she will still ask my permission on a bigger purchase and if things do get out of hand I will let her know she needs to curb it.
2 people like this
@porwest (96158)
• United States
17 Aug 18
@Kandae11 She is. I am actually quite 'generous.' I actually sometimes tailor my investing to her spending. It works well that way. She rarely gets 'out of hand' so it's not something I often have to define.
That being said...ahem...she has something I want and sometimes I just have to compromise otherwise I will be left high and dry. 
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@quantum2020 (12041)
• Ciudad De Mexico, Mexico
16 Aug 18
When I had a wife, which was about 20 years ago, I used to give her all my check and she took care of the finances. I found more convenient to do it this way
2 people like this
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@quantum2020 (12041)
• Ciudad De Mexico, Mexico
16 Aug 18
@Kandae11 No, no plans
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@LadyDuck (472491)
• Switzerland
16 Aug 18
I see my native city in this photo, the Duomo of Milan in the background.
My husband and I have worked together during all our life. We decide together when there is an important expense. None of us "controls the money", if I need something I buy, my husband does the same. None of us is a money waster.
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@anamika161088 (11866)
• India
17 Aug 18
@Kandae11 yes.. It gives equal opportunities and freedom to both
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@thislittlepennyearns (63513)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
16 Aug 18
We share. I mean I do the grocery shopping and bill paying, but I ask him what he wants etc..
2 people like this
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@ridingbet (66854)
• Philippines
18 Aug 18
i hold my own, my son holds his won too. our allowance at home is by my sister's.
1 person likes this
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