SavvyWoman has found that couples argue the most over money matters, so we take a look the most common triggers of getting pernickety over the pennies.
When the monthly statement comes through
You spent how much? You might have bought a few too many things to make the house look more homely- stuff that you didn't need but wanted. Was that ornament or decorative throw worth eating beans for a week? Probably not.
Take out- Neither of you can be bothered to cook and really want food to be prepared and delivered to your door. Then all you have to do is provide the glasses and sauce- but can you really afford it? Truth be told- no!
Back up- You use the joint as back up when your own money runs out. But when that lake runs dry you really are goosed.
Keeping track- Knowing when all your bills come out can be a challenge, if you get it wrong you run the risk of an overdraft fee and then the inevitable blame on whoever the designated accountant is.
Budgeting- A great way to cut back and live within your means if you have the discipline- if one or both of you don't adopt this attitude- you will end up in debt.
Cash vs card- One of you will favour carrying cash around so you know exactly how much you've spent. The other is probably afraid of muggers to the point of always using plastic. Let the head butting begin.
Food- You can budget for this all you like, but no couple can live off one shop every fortnight or month- no- there are always the 'fresh' or 'bitty' purchases in between that upset the balance. Fruit and veg may be healthy but my word do they cause havoc when it comes to balancing the books.
Statements- There is no hiding from a statement- it's like a list of guilty crimes over several sheets of paper. If you have made any unnecessary purchases on here- they stick out like a sore thumb.
Buffers- All couples should have a buffer for when the unexpected happens. An overdraft on top of an overdraft if you will, but if this slowly whittles down to nothing- there is hell to pay.
Occasions- Christmas, birthdays and anniversaries- who pays for what? The joint account, your separate account? Have, you/we spent equal amounts on everyone? Let the fighting commence.
tagged in Couples