money question

[jabba]

Salam Alaikum

Here it comes a money question................................................I've been married to my husband for alsmost 3 years, for the first 2 two of our marriage I had been the main breadwinner ( many reasons for this not really under our control ) However, recently he has been working full time. I quit my job to learn more about Islam and become stronger in the deen inshAllah. So now he's paying the bills, rent, ect. The only thing is now he is really penny pinching, I know we are trying to save money so we can have more freedom when we travel but things are tight and he thinks I'm just being irrational, but I think 100$ every 2 weeks is irrational for all necessities. Also....I was wondering about a small debt I have accumulated, I owe a small amount of money on my credit card. Is it my husband responsibility to help me pay off the balance?
Thanks!

 

[TheHumbleWun]

Asalaamalikum sister,

It is the husbands responsibility to provide the financial support to his family (wife and children). However, if he is just making enough to pay for the "big" expneses, he will probably need your help. You might want to talk to him and see if you want to go back to the work force.

If you have a debt in your credit card and are paying interest, try to find a credit where it has 0% finance charge for certain number of months or even a couple of years. That way you can have time to pay without interest or fees just as long as you pay the small minimum monthly payment.

There are plenty of credit card with 0% transfers. Try like Discover card. You can keep on transfering your balance to different credit card companies with 0% finance, BUT do not feel too overwhelmed because you might dig yourself inside a hole. Try to cut back on eating out, excessive clothing, renting movies, parking in meters,buying unnecessary things, try to catch the bus or train to work, or catch a ride with co-worker (you will save plenty on gas), do you really need cable tv, a cellphone?

Alot of times companies will give you huge discounts and savings when you get their bundle packet. For example, if you have a internet, cable tv, and home phone, you can can bundle them all up in one bill under one company. Alot of companies do this to make things easier for you, retain your loyalty, and of course save you money each and single month. Whereas many people have different service providers and pay more individually. Hope this helps, inshallah.

Always look for alternatives and be wise and save your money!

Your Accountant

 

[wannabe_muttaqi]

ASAK Sister,
i'm sure you will not study and learn islam more than 4-6 hours a day so i think if you are able to work (with your husband's permission) which might help you and your family....this will solve this issue. i'm suggesting this coz you said you already have worked for two years.