Jackie Gower - Trouble and Strife

Friday, February 10, 2012 1:52 PM

It’s a sad fact that money (or lack of it) is one of the top causes for causing stress and break-ups in a relationship.  If you and your partner are not on the same financial wavelength, don’t panic!  These happy money-savvy couples from www.simplesavings.co.nz can help you get things back on an even keel. 

Pocket life's luxuries without breaking the bank.  Pippa and her husband control what they spend by allowing themselves an agreed amount of 'pocket money' each week which they can spend as they wish. After paying off the regular bills such as groceries and utilities, they give themselves an allocated amount for things like lunch out, dinner, movies, clothes, haircuts and so on. Each person can choose how to spend their money without having to justify it to the other. It means they can each have their little luxuries but because it's a set amount that they can afford, their spending on such luxuries doesn't get out of hand.

Thwart spending habits with forward planning.  Knowing exactly what you owe and paying off one debt at a time makes a tricky financial situation much clearer and easier to discuss together.  Each month Nerida prepares a 'know what you owe chart' and prioritises her debts according to interest. She also stays one step ahead of her hubby's wayward spending habits!  To avert splurges, she keeps a pizza in the freezer and brings out a bottle of wine bought on special on nights when hubby is keen to eat out.  Nerida says being prepared gives you power over your debt situation and the confidence to believe you will overcome it.

Hubby accepts money troubles after wife resigns.  A cunning plan forced Norma’s spendthrift husband to wake up and take control of his finances!  Money was very tight whilst raising their three children but unfortunately Norma’s husband refused to accept it.  One day she wrote him a letter resigning as housekeeper, mother and wife and gave it to his secretary.  He finally agreed to talk and Norma got him to agree to take responsibility for running the house for one month, according to her carefully planned budget.  It wasn't long before he asked 'How on earth do you manage? We need to reassess our finances'.  Since then, they have always worked as a team and Norma and her hubby have now been happily married for 50 years!