Hello. I hope this is appropriate/relevant
I was wondering if it was “normal” to not discuss with or notify(?) your spouse about opening a new line of credit/ credit card
I don’t want this to be dividing because I’m sure everyone has their own dynamic, but just would like to hear personal experiences?
Context, and unsure if this is helpful context:
this is an interracial couple in their late fifties. They use a joint main account for income but also have separate accounts like savings. Guy earns more money and handles most of the accounting and financial stuff. He is the one that got a new credit card. He doesnt necessarily try to hide it and doesnt deny the existence of it, but Lady would probably never have known about it until she came across the physical card by chance.
They also generally dont speak in advance about purchases.
Like will wordlessly buy the new game console, but will discuss about if they should replace their car. Lady makes a lot of small purchases, not preciously discussed but she will share all about what she’s bought once she brings it home.
3 comments
I’d probably not be okay with this. We always discuss purchases, big or small (excluding every day items or food). Both parties should be in the know about adding another line of credit to your names.
Every marriage is different. I truly have no idea how many credit cards my husband has and vice versa. I would not remotely care that he gets a new credit card.
In my marriage, we also have a joint account for mortgage and utilities, but everything else (including groceries, travel, and Netflix) come out of our personal accounts. We don’t discuss large purchases like game consoles either, though we do discuss things that take a lot of space in the home (a new couch or car, for example). But this is likely because we are financially comfortable and responsible (no huge debts unnecessarily).
EDIT: Oh wait, is this a personal or joint credit card? I would be PISSED if a joint CC was taken out.
We’re a little older than you and there’s no possible way that either one of us would do that. We’re a team and we’ve worked hard to improve our credit ratings.
Neither one of us would spend over 500 bucks or make any debt commitment without both of us being on board. We even have family meetings where we go over all of our debt and assets, planned expenses, repairs needed, the works along with how our plans will one day serve us in retirement.