Child benefit debate over use of the money

I'm wondering what is her excuse for not wanting to put it into a savings account for the child? That sounds like a nice idea to me.

If you get married will you also have separate accounts? If so don't ever get married as it's not for you.

If you can afford to get by without it then put into an account for the child when they're older. Even before they get to college there will be big outlays like school trips, potential transition year costs, probably an ipad when the kid starts Secondary. All things that the €140 won't cover but could put you under financial pressure when they come around.

Just from your few posts I get the feeling there are more issues financially between you. Other than the children's benefit are you both happy with your finances and how things are done?

I know of 2 other married couples with seperate account. We don't, we have a joint account but it seems to work fine for them.

Selective quoting. Add…

The Department of Social Protection pays Child Benefit to the child’s mother or stepmother. However, if you are the child’s father or stepfather, you can get the payment if the child does not live with their mother or step-mother.

Even a stepmother gets it before the father.

It does, in law, actually. It's paid to the mother, not into her account per se. It's into accounts for convenience but was once paid in cash to the mother.

Other people are either a relationship further down enough that they share finances, or further apart that one has custody and gets the child benefit regardless of how they use it.

You could just stop paying for the child, say take it out of the child benefit, until she can be transparent with it. If she's actually short for money and uses this to get by every month - that's OK too. But you're not paying 50-50. You are paying more.

It's not a massive amount but significant enough, it's the cost of a holiday, a school trip, a bike, a computer. Treats and necessities your child will ask for or require.

You appear to be a penny pincher who has to analyse any bill and how is split half and half. You would be a turn off for most women.

You should be glad this lady agreed to have a child with you.

You might not encounter another idiot to attempt to have a child with you in the future.