Who is responsible for bills in your family?

Do you ever wonder if other families do things the same way as you? Take something as common as paying bills. Who in your family pays the bills? Wife? Husband? Neither

I’ve even heard of couples where the two sit together and pay the bills.

I believe that both the husband and wife need to know how much is being spent and on what at all times. However, do the husband and wife need to sit together and pay the bills together? Seem inefficient to me. If I am paying bills I think my husband could go do a load of laundry. However, I can see where this concept does have some good points to it. Focused attention by both parties. Chance to discuss unexpected expenses. Chance to discuss budget changes. Makes both people feel responsible for the success (or failure) of the budgeting.

How do you handle this in your family?

Does the Dave Ramsey envelope system really work?

I know a lot of people love the Dave Ramsey envelope system. To be honest, I’m not sure he came up with the idea. Perhaps he’s just the one who made it “famous.” Either way, it certainly is a hot topic these days.

My mom first taught me about budgeting money when I was a kid using envelopes. My allowance would have to be split into envelopes so I would get the hang of managing my money. From day one it annoyed me so I never stuck with it.

I currently put everything I can on my credit card and

pay it off every month

. I love credit cards because I can see where my money went each month, I pay one bill a month, and I get airline points. Bonus! Again, the catch is that I never, ever leave a balance on the card from month to month. That’s like buying a sweater on sale for $20 but paying $100 for it.

So, to my original question…do you think the Dave Ramsey envelope system works? Why do you think so many people swear by it? I’d be curious to hear your thoughts.