Financial cheating in a relationship

A partner having an affair with someone outside a relationship is often termed cheating. Many have argued that financial cheating also exists and should be curbed as it is as dangerous as having an extra marital affair. This week, we will be looking into a woman’s complain that her husband gave her money for shopping […]

A partner having an affair with someone outside a relationship is often termed cheating. Many have argued that financial cheating also exists and should be curbed as it is as dangerous as having an extra marital affair.
This week, we will be looking into a woman’s complain that her husband gave her money for shopping but she only used half of it, and he’s now asking for a refund of the unspent money which she said she intended to save for the rainy day. She asks if she was wrong not to have spent all the money or if her husband was wrong in asking her to give back the unspent money.
FunmilayoOlajire, 38-year-old lawyer, believes it is right for any unspent money to be returned, as not returning is amounts to lying and cheating. “Whenever my hubby gives me money to buy anything and it happens that there is money left from what he gave me,I always give him back his money. Not returning it is the same as lying, cheating and greed, which doesn’t help anyone in a relationship, especially marriage.”
She went on to say, “if she intends to save for rainy days, she should do that with her own salary.”
Munira Ahmed, 36-year-old accountant, says “I’ll advise the money is given back to him. To be frank, most people are only concerned about cheating when it’s adultery. This is also a form of cheating. I don’t like to be cheated, and neither do I like to cheat on others. Financial cheating is what most married women do; it still doesn’t make it right as it is still cheating. If the husband is a responsible husband and father, when you return the money, he’ll learn to trust you when it comes to financial matters because he knows you are transparent when it comes to finances. Remember,the cash belongs to both of you,it doesn’t really matter who is holding it.”
Amaka Chikezie, 37-year-old nurse, says “I honestly don’t see this as cheating and greed. The money was meant to be spent; and she didn’t spend all, meaning it’s still hers to be spent.  But, just for the sake of peace, she can find a way of giving him some. There’s nothing like cheating here both partners are one body and one flesh.”
The men are not left out on this debate. Fidelis Edet, 40-year-old electrical engineer, says “It’s not raining yet and he gives her the exact amount she asked for without being stingy. So, be assured that when the rainy day comes he will still be able to take care of his responsibilities. It’s not her responsibility to save for the rainy day. Don’t waste this opportunity, I am a man and know what I am talking about. His asking you to return the money might just be a way of testing your with money.”
Ummi Aliyu, 39-year-old entrepreneur, says “You see the problem, she acted as a good and reasonable wife and he doesn’t appreciate it. If she had spent all the money, she would have been termed extravagant. She wanted to be a good and transparent wife by telling him that she didn’t spend all the money, now he is going to make her regret why she took the decision to be a transparent wife. Do what you have to do to bring peace to your home.”
Chichi Uzor, 40-year- old, a friend of Ummi, asks “How did she act as a reasonable wife? I can’t imagine telling my hubby that I still had money unspent, I’d rather tell him it’s not enough. Stupid transparency, good for her! Women…we just talk too much.How did he know in the first place that she didn’t spend all the money if she didn’t tell him? You have already told him you didn’t use all the money, please do not tell him any other story or else he will not trust you again. Simply give him the money and next time just close your mouth and save the money.”
Amina Shuaibu, a PR consultant, says “No, she wasn’t wrong, but this should teach her a big lesson. One, next time use everything. Two, if there is still money unspent, learn to be discrete. Three, if you don’t use all andaren’t discrete about it, it will be taken back and four, use the money wisely.