Money expert, Jasmine Birtles, advises iVillage community members about family budgeting and tries to stop one husband from pinching the pennies a little too much

Husband won't loosen the purse strings

Question: My problem is my hubby. He seems to think we are spending too much money. We have a budget of £150 per month and this is to feed two adults and a toddler as well as buy nappies and wipes for her.

I try and plan our meals out in two-week segments and to cook as much as possible from fresh but my husband seems to think I am spending too much. He wants us to eat healthily but doesn't want me to spend too much money. Also, whenever I go to the supermarket and he comes with us, he is always chucking stuff in the trolley, which means that I then have to pay by card as I have gone over my cash budget.

I guess what I'm asking is, what tips could you give me to help my husband see that I'm not always spending money and to get him to stop chucking things in the trolley when we do not need them?

Answer: Well, my first tip is for me to give him a piece of my mind!

Honestly, there you are managing on £150 a month for a family (it's do-able but not easy) and he's complaining!

I think you're doing very well. Just a few thoughts:

• Don't take your husband shopping with you. If he begs, just say no.
• Do a shopping list (if you don't already) and stick to it. If you have to take hubby shopping with you then get him to compile the list with you beforehand so that he has a stake in it. Get him to agree to stick to it while you are shopping.
• Do your shopping at the market if you have one nearby, rather than the supermarket. On average, markets are 30 per cent cheaper than supermarkets so you can get more for your money.
• Consider cooking more vegetarian dishes. They are generally cheaper than meat-based ones and will allow the housekeeping to go further.
• Tell hubby that if he wants the extra goodies in the trolley he should go out and earn more to pay for them. That will keep him quiet!
• Suggest removing certain domestic privileges for every item he chucks in the trolley that is not on the shopping list.
• Leave the credit card at home when you go shopping. Tell hubby how much you have in cash and that you can't buy any more than that.

I hope that helps. For more information, visit www.moneymagpie.com