Reading Time: 3 Minutes
What’s up everyone!
Hope we all had a great week.
Listen, so I was reading the papers earlier and came up on a pretty interesting article…
I know right! I mean Harry! What are you…wait… sorry, wrong article.
This is the right one.
It describes the personal finance journey of a couple, aptly named Cheetah and Sparky.
Cheetahs as you well know, are the fastest creatures in the animal kingdom.
But this Cheetah turns out to be a “part-time fitness instructor and personal trainer”… Cheetahs sometimes do this you know.
Sparky is an electrician. He fixes er… electricity.
The article goes on to say that their children are keen wakeboarders (boarding whilst being awake), their girls attend dance classes (note: not to be confused with dancing to class) and all attend private schools.
How was this possible?
Be being debt free.
“When we moved in together, I came across this budgeting system called ‘money bags’. It’s an old-school envelope budgeting system and I said: Right, I am taking all your money and you get $80 (in the old days, $80 was a fair amount) a week… that’s your play money and I look after the rest.”
The original idea of such a system is that you label envelopes – or click-seal money bags – with your expenses like bills, groceries, etc., and how much money you need for each.
Crucially, you define how much you’ll allow yourself to spend on the fun stuff, too, such as entertainment. Then every time you get income, you fill up the envelopes or bags with the required amount… then see what’s left for saving or getting ahead”.
The article then goes on to highlight the property journey the couple took, slowly upgrading their properties from $154,000 (20 years ago) to a $750,000 debt-free home.
Very impressive.
All the while, being self-employed, having 3 kids, and transacting on a couple of investment properties as well.
Nice, nice, kudos to Cheetah and Sparky.
I think this goes to show that personal finance has never been easy without effort, no matter what generation you’re in.
And the importance of mindset, and a partner who is on board with the same goals.
Our house (in the middle of our street)
Which brings us to our household.
When I first started dating MrsFrugalSamurai, I think I am fair in saying… and I tread VERY delicately around this topic, that her personal finance habits were shithouse.
However, inch by inch, play by play, we clawed with our fingernails for that inch, that’s a TEAM gentlemen, and either we heal now… or we… wait, wait… that’s not what I said at all. That’s Al Pacino talking.
Back to MrsFrugalSamurai, who is arguably more important that Al Pacino (she makes me happy in a way Al never could).
Slowly but surely I think we have managed to turn our personal finance habits more or less in line with each other.
Hers by being less friviolous, “do we really need ANOTHER Tom Ford Beauty Soleil Contouring Compact Bask???”
And me by being more friviolous, “what? who DOESN’T buy clothes to wear for the next 15 years???
This is because of…
Accountability Sunday
Introducing, Accountability Sunday.
Which is just a day (Sunday) which MrsFrugalSamurai and I hold each other accountable by going through our respective spending.
Full transparency.
We have our shared accounts of course, but we also have our individual accounts, and Accountability Sunday gives us visibility on each other’s spending for the week.
Minus all the essentials like petrol, groceries, bills, food etc. etc. we have a set amount which we are allowed to spend on ourselves.
Sometimes we go over (I’ve never gone over), sometimes we go under – but the important thing is to hold each other accountable and have some visibility over our finances.
I think that was the main issue – sometimes you live paycheck to paycheck without understanding where all your money goes to… because you don’t track it.
And I am very proud that as a couple and a team, we have gone much much better with our financial goals.
Hang on.
When we brought this up with some friends, a couple were incredulous.
“It’s my money, I earnt it, I can spend as I want”.
Which is fair enough, and I totally agree… IF you know what you’re spending it on AND do not wonder where all your money is and/or complain that you have no money left.
“Why not just have shared bank accounts for everything”.
That’s a great point, and many married couples do. Like I mentioned, we have shared accounts and we have individual accounts.
The main thing for me, is I fear that if we have shared accounts, I may be too domineering and controlling of all the funds (I control all the shared accounts)… I mean… I grew up saving 90 cents on every dollar earnt for goodness sake.
No one wants to live like Greece circa 2011.
I’ve done austerity measures before and yeah you have plenty of coin left over, but it affects other areas of your life.
MrsFrugalSamurai provides a healthy balance, and individual accounts is the difference between buying toilet paper and reusing it (seriously wtf, wow).
It’s currently working in our household, and that’s all it matters!
The Royal household on the other hand…
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36 Comments
Sarah Afshar
I love this blog. It is so true and it is highly beneficial. Financial stability is important, as financial accountability is vital. We live in a world where people can’t distinguish the two nor understand the result of either. Thank you for sharing.
The Frugal Samurai
Shucks that is high praise indeed! Thanks for reading!
Rinrainbow
Amazing post! Really enjoyed it! Thanks for shar
The Frugal Samurai
No worries, glad you liked it!
GiGi Eats
My husband and I are fully transparent about all the things. I mean, would it be a marriage if we weren’t? We talk about finances on the regular which helps us both feel comfortable in our situation.
The Frugal Samurai
Nice work Gigi, and I wholeheartedly agree with you! We “try” to be as well, haha MrsFrugalSamurai is doing much better.
WanderlustBeautyDreams
What an interesting read! Being financial accountable is something I’m trying to better myself in 2020 as well as being debt free!
The Frugal Samurai
Good for you Stephanie! I hope it all pans out for you 🙂
JoyDellaVita
Hehe, isn’t everyone interested in how Harry and his family finally broke free from the rules? 😉
But actually a great subject regarding finances, maybe you want to do another post specifically about the Sussexes in relation to finances or how a frugal life could benefit them?
The Frugal Samurai
Of cos, must be tough being a prince and princess! Hahaha… oh wait, you HAVE given me an idea! Thanks Joy 🙂
Ruth I
This kind of sounds like a sensitive issue to some. But I think it’s worth the shot trying to make an effort doing this. I reckon it’s for you and your partner’s better future.
The Frugal Samurai
Yes it most definitely is… but it doesn’t have to be like that! And totally agree… it’s done us well actually 🙂
Laura
I like the idea putting my money aside and only keeping some amounts for a week
The Frugal Samurai
If it works for you why not? Is it working for you Laura?
Celebrate Woman Today
I love the topic and see the power behind it. We do not have accountability Sundays, but we do address the financial spending for the entire household and plan for it.
Plus, I love the immediate notifications from the credit card when there’s a purchase made.
Working with a partner on the financial issues is one of the top priorities for successful life together.
The Frugal Samurai
If it is working for your household then I say great. Finances are an integral aspect of running any household – sounds like you guys have that well covered!
Erin
This is a such an important discussion for couples to have – I think alot of couples don’t breach the topic of finances early enough in their relationship. My partner and I also use a system of individual accounts + a shared account and it works well for us.
The Frugal Samurai
Great to hear Erin… yes it’s one of those “unspoken” things in relationships no one really talks about, until it often becomes a bigger issue!
Eileen M Loya
I think holding each other accountable for your own spending is a great way to achieve a harmonious check and balance attitude. I hate it when I hear of couples breaking up just because of financial issues.
The Frugal Samurai
I reckon! Although thankfully I haven’t heard of that yet amongst my peers… maybe we are still too young “rubs chin”.
Margaret | Live Like No On Else
Loved this post. We share all accounts. I actually think it’s kind of weird when couples don’t. But I do see your point of view. One of the most important things we did when we were getting out of debt is tracking where our money went. It’s truly an eye-opener. But the cash/envelope system…I tried it and just didn’t like it. LOL
Reusing toilet paper? No! Nobody really does that, right!?
The Frugal Samurai
Lucky you guys, not every couple has that fortune! I think we’re too young for the cash/envelope system… everything is digital nowadays thank goodness. And yeah… reusing toilet paper… yep… let’s just leave it at that.
Jay Mih
My husband and I have shared accounts (pay for household and basic needs) , a shared emergency account, a shared vacation account, and we have our individual accounts (fun money). If we spend on items over $500 we need to discuss. Otherwise, we can spend our own discretionary funds. we are debt-free and have a few income properties that generate revenue. Transparency and accountability is the key to a debt-free happy relationship!
The Frugal Samurai
Wowee… that is a pretty streamlined system you have there Jay, me likey! No wonder you guys are killin’ it… we should be learning from you!
Lavern Moore
This makes me question whether I would want to intertwine my finances with someone. Could be a lot of work.
The Frugal Samurai
It could be Lavern… what about if you find the “one”? Ain’t that worth it!
Bella
This i such a great read, I will have to keep this saved. thanks for sharing this
The Frugal Samurai
No worries Bella, thanks for reading.
Bindu Thomas
Very interesting post. Finance, especially personal finance can be quite dry discussion at times. You made it quite insightful and funny at the same time.
The Frugal Samurai
Thank you Bindu, I aim to please!
Rose Ann Sales
Nice blog,and you have great points. I think most couples should do the same management.
The Frugal Samurai
Thanks Rose, very kind of you.
Fuzion Mag
I used to practice the envelope system even before,when I was younger and now we still still manage things the same way.
The Frugal Samurai
Nice one! Old habits die hard right!
Jhentea De Guzman
Great blog,money management is really something worth talking too. Some of us just really fails when it comes to this issue.
The Frugal Samurai
Yes I know, that’s why I’m trying to bring more awareness to it! Thanks for reading Jhentea 🙂