Am I spending too much?

My husband just notified me he wants to take over with bills and cash in the house. I'm a SAHM I usually pay bills the first week of the month, get groceries the second week and fourth week. He thinks I spend too much on groceries... 2 weeks worth of food 3 meals a day plus everything for his lunch was $218.39... honestly it doesn't hurt my feelings, if he thinks he can get groceries cheaper I want him to. And if he can do better at the bills I want him to do that also. What I am worried about is coming home to no power, or no water... he asked me what all bills we have... 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️ seriously you want to take over this but aren't even sure what bills we have? Please tell me if I am over exaggerating?

Trash and water 80
We typically use 250-300 in gas within 2 weeks pay
Lights run around 250
Insurance 200
Phone bill 130
I usually prep meals for 14 days and spend around the same amount each time. :thinking:
I’m curious as to if he is going to cook for me…

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Help a mama out and respond anonymously on our forum. Am I spending too much? - Mamas Uncut

Tell him if he wants to go ahead but the first time you do want to look over everything to make sure nothing is missed.

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No. Don’t. Let. That. Happen.

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Let him do it . I am sure he will soon be handing it back over to you .

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218 for 2 weeks worth of groceries! Good for you! He gonna F that up big time lol

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Everything it’s expensive every week. I don’t think u are spending “so much” I don’t know where you are but I’m in tx and spend every week at least 200$ on groseríes

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Hon let him try then he will see your worth been there

Not bad for two weeks of groceries, gas and phone could be cheaper though

Give him a detailed explanation of all your bills. Sit him down and show him what you’re doing every week so that he can take care of it. Trust me he will be handing everything over to you soon. Especially if he can’t make it work the way you do with your smart budgeting :woman_shrugging:

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If he can do better let him show you. I spend roughly 600 a month in groceries (includes diapers, toilet paper, etc.). The price of things are ridiculous now a days. He wont be able to beat what you are doing.

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That’s a good deal you have on groceries! Especially these days. Good luck to him if he tries!

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I hate it when these partners of ours who make the money and let us tend to the bills think we need to cut back, have no idea what the price tag on everything actually looks like. It took bringing my hsuband with me on the grocery trips to prove we can’t cut back anything unless he wanted to cut back on his lunch and supper, which he was not willing to do. And his work lunch is whatever supper was the night before. And now it’s getting worse and it’s probably just going to continue to increase. Who know when it will end? I think you’re doing fabulous on the spending. I even noticed the spending got even worse when I actually tried to use coupons and sales.

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My husband and I spend around $230 on groceries. It’s not too much. Prices have gone WAY up in the past year.
Let him see everything for himself and then he will come back to you saying “why is this off?”
Well HONEY probably because YOU didn’t pay for it​:joy::woman_facepalming:t4:

We spend between $180-$400 a week on grocery shopping so that really good for 2 weeks worth

He be crying over $200 something in food?! Really tell him come pay my food bill it’s about $1100 a month if we are lucky…electric $650, trash and water $350 and the list goes on! He needs to count his blessings
And for you don’t let him touch any bills men think they can and then blow it lol :joy:

I spend that much a week for 2 people, idk what you are doing but teach me your ways

Girl I think you working at budget he’ll see what he’s getting into let them try

I think your doing great as I spend at least 1200 a month on groceries

Tbh I’d be worried. I don’t handle the bills in my house. I keep track of credit cards sometimes and listen to my husband ramble about the pay schedules but that’s it. I started opening bills a few months ago and it was totally overwhelming. There was a time I paid my own bills on my own and idk how I did it… if he hasn’t done bills in awhile it may be too much all at once so he should definitely be eased into it. Maybe a few bills, or just groceries to start.

Grocery prices have gone up- gas and power have gone up- you shop for groceries and they’re out of everything. Sometimes you have to get a higher priced item to get anything. I think the amount spent sounds reasonable- but I’m a Woman- LOL!

Wow!! Good job!! Can you share your meals?

3 meals a day and only 218?? You’re better off doing it yourself!!

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Wow! That’s impressively low.

Hell be buying canned and boxed foods for dinner

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It won’t to hurt to have him and your seat for a little bit just so he can see how it is and how it’s not that easy :rofl::joy::pray:t5:

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I spend 1100 for the whole month just on food so your doing great

Don’t forget cable, personal items such as laundry soap, dish soap, shampoo, t.p. etc…
Not to mention gas for the cars. Ohh and just in case of an emergency you need medicine… god forbid he gets a cold and needs some some thera-flu, chicken noodle soup… :expressionless::wink::sweat_smile::woman_facepalming:

I’m not gonna admit what our grocery bill is :sweat_smile::sweat_smile::sweat_smile: but it’s 3 adults and a toddler…oh and I’m pregnant so I always end up grabbing a few extra goodies.

My hubby does bills I do grocery shopping but I love to cook. I spend way to much on food. Probably 300 a week. Only for 2 people and have lots of leftovers I freeze or eat for lunch the next day.

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Your budget looks pretty modest. You are doing a good job

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My dad told my mom the same thing. She said fine but when u take over those jobs u cane also take over cooking and cleaning and washing the clothes. My dad said he could do it. The next night my mom ask him what they were having for supper. He said skip a meal. Lol didn’t last one day.

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Most men do not understand what it takes to run a household. They work and contribute income, but don’t think much about actually running the house. Honestly, I would take it as a welcome break. Provide him a list of bills, log ins and passwords for all accounts, a grocery list based off of your two week meal planning and let him take over! If he thinks he can do it better, let him. Do you have any idea how much free time you’ll have when not managing bills and shopping? While he’s at the grocery store, instead of you, take the time and have a nice hot bubble bath. As far as coming home to no lights or water, that would be your shining moment when he proves that he can’t handle what you handle daily!

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We do similar for shopping. We have a dry erase board that I write out at the beginning of each month so we have an idea what’s coming out and when. Then it gives an idea of how much we have extra after bills. Let him give a crack at them if he wants. The worst is him coming back and apologizing to u. Sounds like u already have a good budget plan I place.

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You doing well! Give it to him and watch what happens. :grinning_face_with_smiling_eyes: he’ll figure it out and never get in the way again!

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Let him do it for a couple of months - he will probably be begging you to take it over again.

Please keep us posted

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Why not have him sit worth toy while you pay bills and grocery shop with you. Let him see what you do and work together to figure or how to cute back on expenses. Shop around for cheaper phone service for starters.

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I say let him try, I do the bills and grocery shop cook and clean. He works 14+ hours doesn’t have to worry about a thing but if he wanted to take it over I’d let him try I also have a whiteboard for the month and write what bills are due on what days so it would be pretty easy for him lol :joy:. But 218 isn’t bad for two weeks I spent that for 2 adults and a child go shopping every two weeks use to do it for the month but cut back on buying for the full month I hate the grocery store

Everything is ridiculously high right now. If he thinks he can do better, let him try.

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They always think they can do it better. so let him. However when he finds out it’s not that easy he will want you to take it back over. DON’T do it. I have been there and done that ! When he said I don’t know how you do it… I said you wanted it now you’ve got it.

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He wants to know and do it so help him. I really don’t see the big deal. My partner has control of the money, he pays rent and some bills. He also gives me money weekly to buy food for us.

You’ll find that he won’t get half the stuff on ur list,most of it will b what u need,and you’ll have a budget smaller then what u did

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Paying all the household bills and buying food and taxables every week is such an overwhelming job. I take care of all the bills and everything and we have a TON of small bills and credit cards and different insurance payments to keep up with. My husband doesn’t know what our bills are either and he thinks the same way. Like I’m spending too much and he could do better. But he never even looks at the bills. He always says he will start paying them buy something comes due and he doesn’t know or pay it so I end up paying the bill. He can’t keep track so I forget it. Just watch your husband and make sure he pays everything and when he doesn’t you just do and say see look you can’t do any better. The food thing is absolutely ridiculous though. If he thinks he can spend less let him try. I bet my life he will either spend more or not get a bunch of normal necessity type food, cooking, pantry, products, milk eggs butter, oil, fruit and veggies. Let him try lol. God some men are too much. Mine included.

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It will definitely be an interesting experiment. My husband had to go shopping one month, and came back disappointed because I get more stuff for cheaper and healthier. :rofl:

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Get ready to have ramen noodles for the next month :rofl:

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Sounds like a control move to me and make sure he’s not trying to stretch the budget to make room for himself for discretionary spending :grimacing:

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Wow seriously 200 for 2 weeks is not a lot at all…

I’m sorry that he’s made you question your planning & budget skills. Can he accompany you on one of the shopping trips & provide his opinion? My husband & I have done this & when he realised the amount of thought, calculating & planning that went into it he went back to sending me all the grocery money :grin:

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Yeah thats not much at all for 2 weeks worth of groceries. He probably just won’t get anything or skip a lot of things. Tell him to try or ask how much he thinks you should spend. If you go over you will cut out food for his lunches and dinner if he wants to do that.

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200 dollars for 2 people for 2 weeks for groceries which prices are climbing dumb high right now… max food stamps for a single person for the month is 200 $ and high key its barely enough to make it … so… i think your doing great but by all means let him try … and I’d make him aware you don’t plan on eating Ramen everyday or hot pockets

Nobody is going to be able to tell you what you need to know. Expenses vary greatly depending on where you live, how many people are in your house, how big your house is etc.

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Wish my food shopping was 200 a fortnight we spend $400 a week but we have 4 children 3 of them are growing boys that eat a lot

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All men think the same

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My parents went through this exact situation. My mom handed him the bills and check book. Then told him he had to take my sister and I shopping for school clothes the same day. Needless to say, he came home, handed over the checkbook, and we also bought zero clothes for school. That man folded quick :joy:

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Many years ago, my ex-husband did this. The second month our water was shut off. He did not pay it. It was a disaster, he was terrible with money and still is. Let him do it, and wish him luck!

Wow $200 for 2 weeks is amazing (although I don’t know how many this feeds) as I spend $150 a week for 2 adults and 1 child.

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Honestly the main question on this would be the gas, can you get more economical vehicles?

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Um, if you’ve been doing it…and doing it well…the REAL question is…WHY?

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I live in the UK and my husband was just the same!

That’s quite low for groceries, maybe show him your list or receipts. Do you have a spreadsheet or somewhere with all the expenses written down, for planning… Does it include annual and quarterly expenses. Is he going to remember clothes, gifts, dentist, insurance, holidays, travel and all the other variable expenses? I’d start with a month of doing it together, to transition.

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Let him try , lolol. Also better give him the due dates. Especially the house pmt, don’t let that be late! Have him buy a tablet and post the bills month after month . And the grocery keep those receipts ha. Let him go shopping a few times, he will turn it back o er to you. I give my hubs a list sometimes if I don’t want to shop.ugh he gets exactly what’s on list. Then after supper we are faced with no snack or sweet lolol.

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We spend $200 per week …two of us …

All of a sudden he asks this? I am sorry I haver a red flag going up here and maybe its just my damage speaking out. But all of a sudden he wants to take over expenses that it seems like you are managing well from your post. it sounds like he might be trying to hide something and needs access to funding to hide it better. I would ask what the deal is and if finances have him concerned maybe try working part time outside of the home or find a work from home job that you can work to help with the funding. there are a lot of remote options out there now that are available and all you need is a computer and the ability to type 25wpm.

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I’m lucky if I spend 200 per week for the 4 of us. Thats amazing!

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Chill….let him do it!!! Sit back and relax… watch it unfold….!!! After all it’s what he wanted!!!

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shit I spend 200 a week and that’s for 4 people.

Let him do it… he will fold…

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Make sure you still have access to all the bills and money coming in. He might be trying to cover up outlays of cash going elsewhere, or trying to hide incoming money away from you. So make sure it’s all accounted for anyway, even if he is paying the bills.

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Tell him I said " good luck"

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I tried this twice with my husband & in 2 months time he had us behind in every bill & in a mess. I took back over!

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So totally understand about this. I have tried the let him pay the bills, but got so behind most of the time. When I pay, I pay a head and he gets a very good credit rating.

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I’m sure TV dinners and frozen pizzas won’t be too bad lol but let him try

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I’m a family of 5 and spend anywhere from $250-$350 a week on groceries. I used to use some coupons which helped bring that total down a ton but stopped when covid hit. Honestly I pay for everything and my husband never complains. But I’m also a full time mom and work full time so double the income helps. Maybe he’s just worried that he won’t be able to provide on his own and that could be why he’s trying to take the control to see if he can cut expenses to make sure his family is comfortable? Its something to definitely talk to him about.

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Why is ur gas so much

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Do not let him have total control.

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Let him do it for a while sit back and chill but keep an eye on it in case he falls behind and if he seems to struggle help him out :man_shrugging: it’s good for him to relise how much you do and it’s all about team work :ok_hand:

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I’m a SAHM; my husband pays all the bills and I look at it like a win. That’s one less thing I have to worry about. I’ve never liked handling finances. Even though he pays everything he makes sure I have access to every account we have so I can check balances on anything at any time if I wanted too. Since you are worried about losing “control” why can’t you handle the finances together? Marriage is a team effort-if you can’t trust your spouse to take care of you and your kids why did you marry them?

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Bless his heart he is still on 1910 grocery prices. Everything is very high priced right now. 4 of us an I average 300 a week

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Every single time I have seen a man attempt to take over grocery shopping they end up so overwhelmed, realizing it’s so much harder than it looks, and they end up changing their mind :joy: I keep seeing women post about it. Let him do it!!! Lmao he’ll have a different tone in a few weeks if not after the first grocery trip

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No, he’s not going to cook for you.
Still need you to meal prep and lunch-make . He just wants to be over the financial aspect of it.
Give it a try. If you come home to no water/power then go from there but until then, hey🤷🏽‍♀️give it a shot I guess.

Sometimes you have to let em learn on their own. Highly doubt he can do it better than a sahm​:joy::+1:t5:

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They have no concept of money. They being the person who doesn’t budget and pay everything. Let him do it, he’ll be surprised.

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Let him do it but watch over him to make sure money is going on your house and not other women or that he’s not trying get a bunch stashed to take offeru

That seems like a reasonable price to me for groceries.

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I’m just curious what you do as a SAHM🤨

I’d share the responsibility. My husband budgets the money in out house he knows how much he needs to set back each week for bills. He knows when they r due and how much and makes sure the money is there. I usually am the one making the phone calls needed and paying them he just budgets the money. I also do the grocery shopping and he doesn’t complain on how much I spend on food. I wouldn’t give up complete control though make sure u have access to the money if needed but if he thinks he can do it better then by all means let him as long as u r still part of the process and can make sure u all have what is needed if u have too. Worse case u take back over and he realizes it’s best best he saves some money somewhere and yall r better off

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Let him try,then laugh when he begs you to do it again.

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For my household of 6 we spend anywhere from 300 to 500 bi weekly on food it’s killer

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Let him try and see how far he will go, wish him goodluck

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Let him do it for awhile. He’ll see the light eventually. He’ll also notice the price of groceries going up and wonder how you keep it low.

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We spend at least $200 a week on groceries! Husband myself and 2 kids (11 years, 11 months). You only spend $213 every two weeks? That’s crazy. Good for you. Let him try to spend less. Lol I’m a SAHM too right now. I don’t do all the food shopping at one store. I order online from a couple of stores and price check almost every item. We use Walmart and stop and shop. Some weeks certain things are cheaper at one store, other weeks it’s cheaper at the other store.

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So $218 & some change a month for food? Since you said second & fourth week of the month, then stated 2 weeks worth of groceries was $218, that’s not bad at all.
But if it’s 218 bucks every week for (2 weeks worth), that’s fucking ridiculous.

We spend $200 a week on 2 adults and one toddler! I think men just like to complain :joy::joy::joy::woman_facepalming:

Petty high school drama
Like damn, did none of you leave high school

Make a complete spread sheet of the bills and a detailed shopping list (why you need each item). He will probably fold quickly and give it all back to you.

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…I’m concerned that you’re a sahm and most likely have no independent income, and he wants to take over the finances…feels like a red flag to me

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Why can’t you both sit down and talk about your finances together, let him know the current household situation and save receipts to show what is being spent and why.
It sounds like he’s a bit of a control freak, if he thinks he can do better I say let him have a go at it, before we were married I asked my then fiancé (now husband)to take care of sending payments for some bills and I would do the others…needless to say he did great with the auto pay ones but not so much with the utilities and random bills, so we both agreed that I would handle most of the things getting paid and we both contribute financially and to the household duties.

Yes good luck hope all works out for you

That’s a lot of driving and gas :disappointed:

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Yeah I’d let him take over, write him out a list of essentials and give him the details for all the bills, he may surprise you. That grocery bill is so cheap I’d don’t think he will get it any cheaper, but it doesn’t hurt to try. Your doing a great job and he will see that once he’s in the driver’s seat. He could just be a bit stressed out about money.