Dominicans and money
I have been with the same girl for close to 2 years now. I have lived on the island close to 5 years and been through my learning curve so I get the whole sankie / sankette thing and that is not a problem. The problem is, I fill her (ours but I don't use it) account with money around the 1rst of the month (150K RD) which I believe is more than adequate but it seems every month she is out of money by the 2nd week. I have tried everything i could think of, making her bring me receipts for everything, checking the account everyday and discussing it, having her call me before spending anything over 10K a week, and other things but nothing has seemed to work. I am going to go back to a weekly allowance and not let her use the bank but there seems to be a valuable lesson to be learned here if I can figure out a way to show it to her. Any help?
- Culture in the Dominican Republic - Guide
- Dominican/Caribbean Spanish - 2 Replies
- DOMINICAN GREEN CHILLIES - 11 Replies
- Correspondence with Dominican women - 4 Replies
- Moving to the Dominican Republic - 3 Replies
- What is a sufficient amount of money needed to move to the Dominican - 26 Replies
- dominican wife. - 23 Replies
In regarding your question I would like to say that there are two clear segments on the population: the ones that cares and the one that DO NOT, unfortunately , the biggest group is the one that do not care at ALL about spending.
I personally run into the same situation and i learned that is a waste of time try to teach an old dog tricks. If you really feel that you want to keep this relationship do yourself a favor, save time and do some adjustments on your end: going back on the allowance is a wonderful idea. start using your bank account and do the payments yourself directly thru online banking (bill, rent, etc) will be easier, faster and less expensive.
I don not your living standards, however 150.000 is way to much money for locals. the more they see the more they want. Bottom line: take yourself as much control you can on the finances and enjoy a wonderful time with your soulmate, but keep business as much of you can out the equation.
Disclaimer: I do not want to offend or judge nobody on any form, way or fashion, is just my personal opinion base on my interactions with locals.
Sorry she should get permission to spend more than 2,000 rd.
Take back control as money burns holes in pockets here. Pay the bills yourself electronically and if you cannot then she needs to be on a strict allowance! I cannot imagine what it being spent on!
If you have been in this for 2 years and you've seen receipts what is she spending this on???
Tell us more - do you live together ir is this just her? Kids? Schools?聽 Where?
We are not here to judge but to try to shed light so you can make your choices.
I wish I had someone dropping that into my bank account every month.聽 Woo hoo!
聽 聽 聽 It is hard to teach someone the value of money, when it is simply given to them.聽 I hate to say this, but you creating a pattern, which you are going to find hard to break later on; Just give her enough cash for the basic needs, and when you are in town, perhaps you can do a bit more, but at least you are having fun with her. My comments are not made as judgement, but simply as perspective from a different angle. Please do come back and share a bit more.
Yes we do live together. She rents聽 house for a family of 4 in SD. (mom, sister, brother (handicaped) and child) and I have a place on the North Coast. We split our time about 50/50 each place, although when I am gone (anywhere from 0-15 days a month) she stays in SD.
I have only been handling the money this way for the last few months. She does spend a lot of it on me , clothes mostly, and she will ask if I want her to pay for Dinner or whatever we are doing when we are alone. When we are with her family she automatically pays for everything.
Where does it go? She has about 40K in rent/school/electricity/phones/internet/etc. The rest goes to cosmetic items/procedures, jewelry, furniture etc.(I think i may have shot myself in foot showing her about good wine) Things that are OK to spend on but you need to save for them or only when you have discretionary funds.
I am ready to go back to the weekly allowance but as I said, its not about the money, there is plenty of it out there, I would rather her learn how to budget, only because it will help her the rest of her life.
Massagewiz- I couldn't agree with you more, people do spend there last peso to look good rather than the important things, but they do the same thing in the states as well.
All- Don't worry about offending me, I would not have posted personal maters if I wasn't prepared for some blows so hit away, but please, if anyone has an idea I would very much like to read it.
Thanks
You will never teach her about fiscal responsibility, so stop banging your head in the wall.聽 Instead just accept it and go back to an allowance each week.聽
Bob K
聽 聽 聽It seems that at least she is willing to spend some of that money on you, so we know she is not selfish, but I must agree with the other posters as far as returning to a weekly allowance.聽 The only chance you have of teaching her fiscal responsibility would be to have surrounded with other folks who are doing the same thing, otherwise she will do as others do.聽
聽 聽 聽
聽 聽 聽I tried to get my girl to wear a motor bike helmet for years, even bought her one from the U.S. She knows the helmet could save her life in an accident, but hardly ever wears it! When I asked her why? She said: Well no one else is wearing one, why should she? You never going to change culture, unless that person is moved to an environment where they can see others doing what they are supposed to be doing.聽 Enjoy your relationship, and if you still want to teach her, then give her small tasks from time to time, if you see her being responsible, then you can give her more, it is like training a child. Start slowly. Best of luck.
the tinker40 wrote:It must be a great feeling knowing that you are supporting someone else's family. A wonderful thing to have "plenty of money out there". Relent & let go of the idea of teaching her about the value of money, she already knows how to spend it.聽 I wish you well in your quest for reality.
Sarcasm is a useful tool. lol
I don't know about it being a good feeling helping people out, it just seems like like something that needs to be done. IMHO I think the meaning of life is just that, What meaning does my life have? What affect do I have on others? Can I leave this world just a little better off than when I found it?
As for the money, there is plenty out there for anyone willing to put in the work to get it and that is a wonderful thing.
More than 8 million Dominicans live in financial vulnerability
85% of the Dominican population, that is 8.9 million citizens, lives in a financial situation of survival or vulnerability.
This causes financial stress, which in turn affects the physical and emotional health of individuals, and the family and work environment of those who suffer from it.
This has been concluded by the first study on financial health in the Dominican Republic 2021, prepared by the Caudall firm, using the FinHealth Score Toolkit methodology of the Financial Health Network, an international non-profit organization dedicated to promoting financial health.
The study indicates that the financial health index of Dominicans is at 54 points, which means that 30% - about 3.1 million households - have a financial situation of vulnerability.
In other words, your level of financial health is very low in several or all of the variables considered in the study.
RELEVANT FINDINGS
The study revealed that 37% of citizens had expenses greater than their income.
27% spent practically equal to their income.
49% fail to pay all their bills on time and 51% feel insecure or unsure that they cannot achieve their long-term goals.
39% of Dominicans cannot survive for more than three weeks with available savings.
23% cannot survive for a period greater than a week and 49% admit that they have debts greater than what is due or manageable.
38% of citizens said they have bad credit history or do not know it.
36% feel insecure about their insurance coverage and 67% do not plan their finances in advance.
INVESTIGATION
The study evaluated the financial health of the Economically Active Population of the country, based on data from the National Continuous Survey of the Central Bank's Workforce, with a technical sample of 1,740 people for a confidence level of 99% and a margin of 1% error.
It was carried out through a questionnaire that assesses the financial health of the participants in four pillars: spending, saving, debt and planning.
It calculates a general index of financial health on a scale of 0 to 100, where 0-39 is financially vulnerable, 40-79 is considered financially surviving, and 80 to 100 is financially healthy.
CONCLUSIONS
The study recommends making a joint effort, since financial health is a problem that must be addressed by all.
The individual must manage their finances in a responsible way, while the private sector must offer employees decent remuneration, with education and financial orientation programs.
The State, he adds, must play a vital role, establishing public policies that allow all citizens to receive financial education from an early age.
Likewise, promote that users of financial services receive the necessary information so that they can make duly informed decisions.
Despite not being certain of the financial health of Dominicans prior to the pandemic, taking into account the economic and social effects of the pandemic, the study considers the interpretation of the data interesting for the implementation of strategies, policies and actions of all the sectors, which "translate into better financial health and a better quality of life."
If and when I buy a home I will make sure my kids are on the title and deed.
Correct me if I am wrong .
Thank you
Rich
What you bring into a relationship is yours. What you amass together belongs to you both.聽 So if you bring the house to the relationship an argument can be made for the capital gains or growth after you are together.聽 Living together becomes similar to married after a specific amount of time. My understanding is that is 2 years but of course that can depend on circumstances, lime kids etc.
And all of that is subject to whims of lawyers judges and police here!聽 Understand the rules as written and as applied!
I guess best is not to have girlfriend move in lol
Can we please stick to info about this country please.
If you have no assets or property here and don't plan to have any, then it probably won't have much value to do a Dominican pre-nup.聽 However, if you have assets, buy property etc. here, also get a Dominican Pre-nup.聽
My recommendation is to have proper documents (wills, powers of attorney, pre-nups etc. prepared in each country that you have property or assets in just to be sure you have covered all of the bases, regardless of where you are living.
Finally, consult an honest (meaning well-recommended by people you know) and reputable lawyer experienced in the area of discussion.
It's territorial and based on french law not common law
Again get a pre nup, cohab, medical power of attorney and a will HERE and avoid issues.
The advice from Mike and Planner seem very valid.
Let's keep this thread to the money discussion.聽
There are a few threads about covid, feel free to post in the appropriate place
Merry Christmas to all...
Make your relocation easier with the Dominican Republic expat guide

Death in the Dominican Republic
What customs and procedures are common when dealing with death in the Dominican Republic? Find more about it in ...

Education in the Dominican Republic
This article will cover the Dominican Republic's educational system, including public schools attended by 80% ...

Living and accommodation on the South Coast of the Dominican Republic
Along the south coast of the Dominican Republic, going from East to West, you will find the sugar town of La ...

Birth in the Dominican Republic
This article provides some information about the culture and the customs of Dominicans when giving birth and ...

Moving with your pets to the Dominican Republic
Many folks wish to bring their dogs and cats to the Dominican Republic, and this article will explain exactly what ...

Food and shopping in the Dominican Republic
It is well worth exploring the Dominican cuisine and shopping options, and note what they buy and where they shop, ...

Living and accommodation in the up and coming Southwest of the Dominican Republic
Barahona, for some, might be Santa Cruz de Barahona, is the biggest city in this region. However, not yet a ...

Pregnancy in the Dominican Republic
Are you ready to expand your family in the Dominican Republic (DR)? This article should provide you with all the ...
Forum topics on living in Dominican Republic
大咖福利影院 for your expat journey



