Did you see the latest episode of Gray's Anatomy? Three women in ball gowns admitted to hospital following a car crash with their husband's right behind them needing different surgeries? It was a really good example of women leaving their men in charge of the finances.
One of the couples's medical aid insurance lapsed at midnight and the husband required serious surgery that couldn't be scheduled until after 12pm.
When his wife queried it with him she discovered that he'd lost his job months before and let the policies lapse.
It certainly made me leap up and start asking questions.
Let's face it; you can't just expect everything to be taken care of these days.
Husband and wife are equally under pressure and then there's that thing called male pride.
As a teen I remember being told we were selling our house because my Dad had 'failed to pay the taxman.
' What wasn't explained is that my Dad was juggling to keep up private school fees, car repayments, bond, maid, gardener and annual holidays.
He just couldn't tell my Mom and O boy, was she angry.
Ladies, things have changed.
We need to ask questions about our finances, our health insurance and home loans.
The more aware we are, the more we can help shoulder the burden and avert disaster.
Men in South Africa aren't having an easy time of it lately.
There are many who just can't find work even though they are highly qualified and experienced.
Some of them are afraid to tell their wives and others are just too proud.
Imagine the stress of that situation.
I'm not suggesting we wade in and demand to see all bank statements but just ask the question.
"How are we doing financially at the moment?" Instinctively a wife knows when things are wrong but there are occasions when instinct fails us all and husbands desperately wish to shield us from harm.
Suggest a pow-wow when the kids are in bed and go through your monthly expenses.
You can always admit to a bit of guilt about over spending.
Ask to see the latest medical aid and bank account statements.
If you're seeing danger signals suggest a rethink on monthly expenditure or a joint approach to the bank.
Two heads are always better than one and most partners would be relieved to share the burden.
Debt is an ugly word in any marriage but it's no good ignoring it.
One of the couples's medical aid insurance lapsed at midnight and the husband required serious surgery that couldn't be scheduled until after 12pm.
When his wife queried it with him she discovered that he'd lost his job months before and let the policies lapse.
It certainly made me leap up and start asking questions.
Let's face it; you can't just expect everything to be taken care of these days.
Husband and wife are equally under pressure and then there's that thing called male pride.
As a teen I remember being told we were selling our house because my Dad had 'failed to pay the taxman.
' What wasn't explained is that my Dad was juggling to keep up private school fees, car repayments, bond, maid, gardener and annual holidays.
He just couldn't tell my Mom and O boy, was she angry.
Ladies, things have changed.
We need to ask questions about our finances, our health insurance and home loans.
The more aware we are, the more we can help shoulder the burden and avert disaster.
Men in South Africa aren't having an easy time of it lately.
There are many who just can't find work even though they are highly qualified and experienced.
Some of them are afraid to tell their wives and others are just too proud.
Imagine the stress of that situation.
I'm not suggesting we wade in and demand to see all bank statements but just ask the question.
"How are we doing financially at the moment?" Instinctively a wife knows when things are wrong but there are occasions when instinct fails us all and husbands desperately wish to shield us from harm.
Suggest a pow-wow when the kids are in bed and go through your monthly expenses.
You can always admit to a bit of guilt about over spending.
Ask to see the latest medical aid and bank account statements.
If you're seeing danger signals suggest a rethink on monthly expenditure or a joint approach to the bank.
Two heads are always better than one and most partners would be relieved to share the burden.
Debt is an ugly word in any marriage but it's no good ignoring it.
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