How much does your wife know about your finances?

[davewe]

38 minutes ago, Jack Peterson said:

 Try being married to an accountant, the Micromanaging is her not me. Life is Relevant to us all, in many different ways. I go out with 1.000 and that is it, I had 1.000 and I don't give the Change or explanations as Tomorrow, is another day. 

Jack 

Morning all

And micromanaging your San Miguel intake is even worse 

[Jack Peterson]

Just now, davewe said:

And micromanaging your San Miguel intake is even worse 

  Not when you have only 35 peso and the next bottle will be 40 peso 

[Queenie O.]

Back in the US I handled most of our budget well, and my husband didn't ask me about my own paycheck because we paid a majority of the bills out out of his larger salary. Long term financial planning I left up to him, and he managed well for us.  When we moved here I was glad to give over the daily/monthly/yearly budget to him as we are not yet retired and he's a much better saver than I am.

When we arrived here and even before, we were totally upfront with each other about what monies we had to work with, and what are plans and strategies we will use. I get an ample monthly allowance out of the budget, and he's free to spend what he sees fit. Any major purchases we decide together. I know exactly what we're working with, as he has shared all info with me for my own safety. Life can be precarious and unpredictable at times here, and we're not leaving future expenses and issues unclear, if one or both of us should die. Our only son who lives abroad, is also aware of our finances and could step in if he had to.

Family members here just "assume" that we are filthy rich, but they have never asked or been told anything about our finances.

For my own peace of mind, I'm glad to know what I have to do financially if God Forbid something happened to my husband. I suppose we just have to trust each other to keep things together and operate as a partnership while living out our lives here.

I understand that all relationships are different, and what works for one couple might not be practical for another.

Transparency seems to be the best way to go for us.

Edited August 3, 2016 by Queenie O.

[robert k]

3 hours ago, davewe said:

Since I suspect that neither of us has $2 mil in the back, let's wait for someone who does to weigh in.

Anyone?

One thing I can say for sure based on the comments, is that I am envious of many of you married to your Filipina wives for many years. I congratulate you all!! 

 

I can show a couple million in debt, does that count?

[Dave Hounddriver]

1 hour ago, Jack Peterson said:

  Not when you have only 35 peso and the next bottle will be 40 peso 

Maybe thats why them beggars send their kids up to me on the boulevard, they are just 5 pesos short of a beer.  Perhaps I will be a little more kind to them next time as I can understand that predicament. 

[Dave Hounddriver]

6 hours ago, davewe said:

But let's talk more about that $2 million.

I can talk about that after Christmas.  Santa Claus is bringing me $2 million.  I'm thinking of investing it with the tooth fairy.

[Jack Peterson]

11 minutes ago, Dave Hounddriver said:

 I'm thinking of investing it with the tooth fairy.

OH! "Y" has a new name then 

 

OK,OK, I know 

[mogo51]

In my post I said I 'involve' my SO in our financial situation, but I did not say I 'let her control' same. I maintain control of the household finances and will continue to do so until I get a 'brain evacuation'.

If I did have $2m the situation would not change. I would never place the funds in my SO's name. It just does not fit my life 'rules'. Whilst I 'trust and love' my SO and want to be sure she is cared for when I check out - I am not silly.

Edited August 3, 2016 by mogo51

[Queenie O.]

This question really could make your head spin, when you think of all the variables and possibilities involved. In the best of circumstances it's complicated I imagine, let alone if a person had trust issues with a partner.  The culture of the Philippines teaches that family comes first, so family influence is a big factor too. We all know that marriage at best is not 100% sure either, so we're all just hoping for the best aren't we? Marriage is an inherent partnership though, that would seem that more transparency would be fairer. It's different with a girlfriend even a long term one,  without a legal commitment I would think.

Speaking candidly as a western woman living permanently here, I feel that at this time in my life if something were to happen to my husband, I'd probably never marry again, because any future boy toys or boyfriends might not turn out to be totally trustworthy, so I'd rather keep that trust relationship just with my son.  Just too many variables. and too complicated.  Maybe if an older judge or doctor or rich guy treated me like a queen I'd figure it could be doable in practical terms.-

Edited August 3, 2016 by Queenie O.

[davewe]

11 hours ago, mogo51 said:

In my post I said I 'involve' my SO in our financial situation, but I did not say I 'let her control' same. I maintain control of the household finances and will continue to do so until I get a 'brain evacuation'.

 

Yes, my original question was about how much your wife knows, not whether she has control, which is a whole other issue and trickier than the "knowing" issue. That being said, several guys married for a long while have weighed in that their wife runs the finances - so there are many answers.