who must take care of the financial obligations at home, husband or wife?

I don't think that either one should automatically be responsible. It should be talked about and agreed upon by both husband and wife. Different things work for different families.

BOTH!!! Its getting old and played out that people think the women should dtay at home and cook,clean and tend to thier husbands every need while being a slave.I think now days its only fair if both the man and the women work and pay bills.Not only is it fair but its less stressful and more convenient.Its nice to grow old with someone and have nice things and know that you both worked to get them things.

BOTH!!! I have a friend that they keep all their money separate, and to me is sounds like it sucks. If she wants to change something in their house she needs to pay for it. Like when they had their child, she had to pay for the nursery.

Hi Tesmel, I definitely feel both spouses should contribute to the financial obligations if both are working. Both my husband and I put our money together and pay the bills. I am the one that actually writes the checks or pays the bill on line, but we are both paying for everything. Do you have a spouse that is not contributing or not wanting to contribute? GACathyMac

My husband and I keep our money separate to an extent. There's times where we need to help each other out, but we split the bills and that leaves savings and spending money for us both. As long as there's money put into savings, if we want something the other doesn't say anything about it because it's money we worked for individually. We used to combine our money, but he likes to buy new guitars and stuff like that and I was having no money to get anything I wanted. I went off and opened my own checking and arranged my direct deposit to go into that account. After that, he only had so much to spend and couldn't break into what I earned to buy his music equipment. I then was able to do whatever I wished with the money I earned and he only had so much to work with. That taught him to take it easy because when he had just his money to spend, he didn't spend so much :) Now, we have no arguments over money at all. The bills are paid and if we see something we want, we can get it.

My husband used to look after all the bill paying until we hit financial problems about 7 years ago. We had to downsize, move house and change our life style. I dont think he's paid a bill since that time, I do it all.

Whichever one works is responsible for the finances, and whichever doesn't is responsible for upkeep and errands. Or if they both work, whichever one makes more money as more responsibility.