Who holds the purse strings?
By Kandase
@Kandae11 (56800)
August 16, 2018 9:13am CST
Holding the purse strings is slang for having control of the money in a household, company, etc.
for example - if the wife is the breadwinner in the family and gives her husband an allowance - the wife holds the purse strings, and vice versa. In some cases, even when the husband is the breadwinner - the wife might still have a firm grip on the purse strings.
When both husband and wife contribute financially - who then holds the purse strings? Is it one or the other or a joint effort?
Who controls the money in your household?. Must you give an account to husband or wife of every penny that is spent?
When both husband and wife contribute financially - who then holds the purse strings? Is it one or the other or a joint effort?
Who controls the money in your household?. Must you give an account to husband or wife of every penny that is spent?27 people like this
31 responses


@1hopefulman (45113)
• Canada
18 Aug 18
When I was married I took care of the finances at they were terrible with money. We lived comfortably and saved some.
2 people like this

@1hopefulman (45113)
• Canada
18 Aug 18
@Kandae11 I let them keep what they earned to do whatever they liked. I paid for all the expenses. I took an early retirement. However, thanks goes to God for all his help.
1 person likes this

@JamesHxstatic (29411)
• Eugene, Oregon
17 Aug 18
Anne and I were both independent when we met. We decided to each have our own account and each contributes to a household account as well. We have no accounting for money.
3 people like this

@JamesHxstatic (29411)
• Eugene, Oregon
17 Aug 18
@Kandae11 It works well for both of us.
1 person likes this

@JohnRoberts (109842)
• Los Angeles, California
16 Aug 18
There is only me, myself and I.
3 people like this
@porwest (110498)
• United States
17 Aug 18
In our house I hold the purse strings. Every penny goes through me and is disbursed by me. But I am also the one who has the 'know how' when it comes to investing. That being said, my wife pretty much can do what she wants. I will only question her if she gets out of hand, which is rare. She is not as good about money or with money as I am, but she will still ask my permission on a bigger purchase and if things do get out of hand I will let her know she needs to curb it.
2 people like this
@porwest (110498)
• United States
17 Aug 18
@Kandae11 She is. I am actually quite 'generous.' I actually sometimes tailor my investing to her spending. It works well that way. She rarely gets 'out of hand' so it's not something I often have to define.
That being said...ahem...she has something I want and sometimes I just have to compromise otherwise I will be left high and dry. 




That being said...ahem...she has something I want and sometimes I just have to compromise otherwise I will be left high and dry. 




1 person likes this

@quantum2020 (12054)
• Ciudad De Mexico, Mexico
16 Aug 18
When I had a wife, which was about 20 years ago, I used to give her all my check and she took care of the finances. I found more convenient to do it this way
2 people like this

@quantum2020 (12054)
• Ciudad De Mexico, Mexico
16 Aug 18
@Kandae11 No, no plans
1 person likes this



@LadyDuck (486256)
• Italy
16 Aug 18
I see my native city in this photo, the Duomo of Milan in the background.
My husband and I have worked together during all our life. We decide together when there is an important expense. None of us "controls the money", if I need something I buy, my husband does the same. None of us is a money waster.
My husband and I have worked together during all our life. We decide together when there is an important expense. None of us "controls the money", if I need something I buy, my husband does the same. None of us is a money waster.2 people like this



@anamika161088 (11866)
• India
17 Aug 18
@Kandae11 yes.. It gives equal opportunities and freedom to both

@thislittlepennyearns (65840)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
16 Aug 18
We share. I mean I do the grocery shopping and bill paying, but I ask him what he wants etc..
2 people like this



@ridingbet (66854)
• Philippines
18 Aug 18
i hold my own, my son holds his won too. our allowance at home is by my sister's.
1 person likes this






















