Best Spending Practices for People that Lack Discipline.

[whYME]

How about using an AU card with limited credit and having the card managed by someone else for when you have (or think you have) a good reason to go over that limit?

[US]

ETA: Is there really no cards with budgets? My sapphire reserve doesn't have the option.

AMEX offered a limit on AU's card, might be an option.
But again won't you just take out the Primary card if the AU is maxed!?
Stick with Debit/cash.

[davidrotts63]

From the way everyone is putting it, it sounds like a spending addiction that you will find a way to spend regardless, to me that sounds like something that needs counseling and certainty cash only for now.
If it's a simple overspending problem, simple budgeting should so the trick.

[cozmohoot]

Can you buy GC's with CCs and give those to your wife to spend?

How does it work with gc and doing a return? Will it go back to card properly?

[whYME]

But again won't you just take out the Primary card if the AU is maxed!?

This

and having the card managed by someone else for when you have (or think you have) a good reason to go over that limit

should fix that problem.

[Iz]

no online orders, no protection

Amazon cash 

[Iz]

Visa Offers New Dave Ramsey Credit Card With Credit Limit Of Zero

Any previously canceled cards work just as well.

[MC]

How does it work with gc and doing a return? Will it go back to card properly?

Ymmv depending on the card and depending on the merchant. Personally, I wouldn't use GCs for clothing or any big ticket items. More like groceries and household spending that won't require any returns.

[Iz]

Ymmv depending on the card and depending on the merchant. Personally, I wouldn't use GCs for clothing or any big ticket items. More like groceries and household spending that won't require any returns.

Someone should point out the obvious: GCs have an inherent risk of getting lost or stolen, especially if you're using them all the time on small expenditures on everyday shopping trips. And that's besides the risk of fraud.

[farmbochur]

Have you put saving on auto pilot?
IE. X goes to 401k, Y goes to IRA, Z goes to savings account every paycheck?

Commonly referred to as the pay yourself first budget.

[shwarmabob]

1) Set up auto transfer x amount to a savings account every month
2) go to a financial advisor/ counselor together with your wife so you are both on the same page and set realistic goals

[keepingabudget]

Would the GC suggestion work?

I'm concerned about this, so no.
Perhaps debit is really the way to go.

Someone should point out the obvious: GCs have an inherent risk of getting lost or stolen, especially if you're using them all the time on small expenditures on everyday shopping trips. And that's besides the risk of fraud.

[keepingabudget]

AMEX offered a limit on AU's card, might be an option.
But again won't you just take out the Primary card if the AU is maxed!?
Stick with Debit/cash.

The limit is not for me.
I control my spending and I'm generally thrifty. I can hold the primary, but I know someone that had issues with an Amex card allowing more than budgeted. If someone has experience otherwise, I'd appreciate it.

[cozmohoot]

I'm concerned about this, so no.
Perhaps debit is really the way to go.

If they are registered there is probably more protection. Just a pain to register many...

[keepingabudget]

Have you put saving on auto pilot?
IE. X goes to 401k, Y goes to IRA, Z goes to savings account every paycheck?

Commonly referred to as the pay yourself first budget.

1) Set up auto transfer x amount to a savings account every month
2) go to a financial advisor/ counselor together with your wife so you are both on the same page and set realistic goals

I should find a financial advisor because I don't do any of these things.

[farmbochur]

Not sure what role a financial advisor plays into it. Not too hard to set up an auto rebalancing account with most any low cost brokerage firm (Schwab, vanguard, etc...).

People tend to over complicate personal finance (the "experts" are likely behind this b/c they profit when the masses feel helpless). Bottom line is that if you put $100-200 per month into a well diversified fund, you will retire a millionaire with nearly 100% probability.

[sb613]

I started using YNAB few years ago and it’s very helpful with personal budgeting.

For me the biggest advantage was that I was finally able to put all credit cards and gift cards balances together. The idea is to treat credit cards like a debit card.

[incendia]

Every time you and your get paid the first thing is to put a fixed amount of money into a high interest savings account 

get a small notebook and write down everytime you spend money, one for you one for your wife

your wife should use a debit card or cash

[Sport]

Yes, a few. She's on board with good suggestions but she doesn't wanna deal with cash.

Does she pay the bills? If not let her handle that for a few months so she sees where all your money is going.

[Sport]

Have you put saving on auto pilot?
IE. X goes to 401k, Y goes to IRA, Z goes to savings account every paycheck?

Commonly referred to as the pay yourself first budget.

1) Set up auto transfer x amount to a savings account every month
2) go to a financial advisor/ counselor together with your wife so you are both on the same page and set realistic goals

Every time you and your get paid the first thing is to put a fixed amount of money into a high interest savings account 

get a small notebook and write down everytime you spend money, one for you one for your wife

your wife should use a debit card or cash

These suggestions are great but only work if your committed to a budget. If spending is done with out any cheshbon this won't help to much.