March 4, 2008

Men vs. Women on bill paying

A question.

What are your thoughts about the wife taking care of the bills/finances?


I've read in a few popular books that it's really better for the husband to take this responsibility. I think that is true, but, I don't think it's good if the wife has no idea how to pay the bills should something happen where hubby can't do it etc. Or, maybe bill paying is a huge stress and burden on the husband, who works all day and has little time to be at home anyways. Because of this maybe the bills are disorganized, it's hard to keep track of what is due when and the bill payer is working too hard.

If you haven't guessed I'm describing my husband :) He will admit that he's not very organized in general, much less with paper! I will go clean out the desk ever so often, but it gets cluttered up again because there is no system. Er, well, the system is on Microsoft Excel...but there are still physical papers to be dealt with.

I mentioned the idea to dh that maybe I should take over for awhile, just so I can be able to do it if he can't for some reason, and because I do have naptime to work on it. Plus, sometimes I feel like there's not a lot I can do to better our financial situation (like bring in more money) so at least I could help share the responsibilities this way and give him a break.

Anyways, just curious.

10 comments:

Blended in Texas said...

I handle all our finances. My hubby is way too busy with his business to do it himself. He trusts me and he likes not having to worry about it. The poor man has to manage his wood shop, make sales calls, phone calls and office work all day long. The last thing he wants to do is manage our personal finances and bills also. I, like you, feel this is one way I can help contribute since I also don't work or bring in any money. Plus, it's good for me to see where the money goes and how much I can spend on food ect. I hope you can come up with a system that works for you. Keep us posted! =)

Rachel said...

Hmm.. I think whoever does it better should do it.

My husband could care less about paperwork. I love it. So, I do the bills. I also love to save and cut corners and put as much into savings as possible. (that's both of us really)

He is fully aware of what is in the bank, and we make a joint decisions on things regarding finances - CDs, stocks, etc. Actually, we talk a lot about something before actually purchasing it. That's for big purchases. Day to day things like clothes and shoes and gas and food.. we just kinda get it as needed. My husband has the ultimate decision, but he likes to have my input because I tend to look at all twists and turns and into the future.

Works for us :) He says he likes to work and not worry about this money. He knows it's being taken care of and, mostly importantly, he always has money in his pocket :)

Janel said...

I do the bills at our home (I too am a stay at home mom). My husbands likes it this way because he is very tired after he comes home from work(and also mentally drained). We have a written budget (Larry Burkett) that I refer to if needed. Have you spoken to your husband about this...is he for or against this? Good luck and God Bless, Janel

Valerie Roberson said...

I used to think it was 'unnatural' or something for a wife to do the finances...That it should be the man's job as head of the house. Unfortunately my hubby hated it! LOL After all his other work, he didn't want to take care of the finances at all. So I have been doing them for a long time now, and it really works for us. :D Now we talk about everything, but I pay them all. Whatever works for ya'll is ok I think!

jesnicole said...

I DO ALL OF OURS. BECAUSE IT'S ONE OF THOSE THINGS (LIKE SO MANY THINGS IN LIFE) THAT IS OBVIOUS. MY BRAIN IS BETTER WIRED IN THIS CERTAIN AREA. AND MY HUSBAND DOES THE THINGS THAT HIS BRAIN IS MORE WIRED FOR. I THINK SOMETIMES (FROM WHAT I'VE EXPERIENCED IN LIFE, YOU MAY NOT HAVE) CHRISTIANS TRY TO "OVERSPIRITUALIZE" THINGS...WHEN GOD HAS MADE SOME ISSUES SO OBVIOUS!! IF MY HUSBAND WERE GIFTED WITH ORGANIZATION SKILLS AND I WEREN'T, HE'D ORGANIZE OUR HOME!! IF I WERE GIFTED WITH SKILLS LIKE LAWN CARE AND FIXING THE CAR, I'D DO THOSE THINGS!! I, TOO, HOPE YOU GUYS CAN COME UP WITH SOMETHING THAT WORKS FOR THE BETTERMENT OF YOUR FAMILY! :) HAVE A GOOD REST OF THE WEEK! I ALWAYS ENJOY READING YOUR BLOG.

Anonymous said...

I do all the bills. Hubby works long hours and no time. We consult and go over them every month so he has an idea. But as full time homemakers we spend the money to keep the house running - I think its very imporant we have first hand knowledge of family finances.

Anonymous said...

I do the books here, and have for 17 years. About once a month I let him know how we are doing, financially speaking. He makes the large-purchase final decisions with my input, and he watches our investments, but I take care of the monthly bills and the checking account.

I consider this a "Lydia - Proverbs 31 thing". Considering a field, buying it, going afar to buy the things needed for my home, etc. I think, for us that is, if my hubby knows what's going on and trusts me, and since I'm more organized at it, it works for us. I'm like the secretary to the CEO - LOL!!

Unknown said...

I handle to paper work for our home. This includes the bills, letters and so on. However hubby knows what is in the bank, what has been paid and so on. If a big purchase is needed we talk about it and decide what to do. For smaller purchases such as clothing, and like that we don't discuss it because well the boys have to have clothes. I usually tell him about when I will be getting new clothing for the boys. Like here soon for spring and summer my oldest will need clothing. My youngest is pretty set with hand me downs, however we will probably get him a few new things.

Anyways you both just have to decide for your home which is best. For us it works better for me to do the paperwork and it does relieve my hubby from more work.

Thirdtimemomma said...

My husband takes care of the money. He's a pastor and usually takes care of it on his office days that are slow. He needs to be available but doesnt always have something to do. He's incredible at it really. But I think its all about who's better at it you know?

Sarah said...

I handle everything financial. My husband is too busy working 2 jobs to take on this responsibility. Besides, I kind of think of it as part of my "job" as a wife to be frugal,save money, and get out of debt. My husband is the spiritual leader of our family, but I am happy to take on the financial burdens.