Nothing like accountability to keep you on the straight and narrow

**imagine** · 01-28-2009, 11:40 AM

Do you have someone that you are accountable to for how you spend money, when you use credit?

This is a good way to keep things in check.

What if you knew someone was saying your name because they knew what you did every time you bounced a check or accessed your equity line of credit.

Hubby worked for a national bank and they had a print out daily of just such a detail with names of who did what. So people know what you are doing.

Then hubby changed jobs to a smaller not national but local bank. They actually read the names of that list out loud in a meeting, every week.

When we first moved and bought our house it needed a new roof that we hadn't known about so we accessed the equity line to pay for it. In the first meeting hubby attended they read his name (for accessing a equity line and named the amount, as was standard practice) They all stopped looked at Hubby like the wanted and explanation. Hubby said "New Roof" which they all knew we had to do. And business continued.

Hubby said that having your name read in the meeting that once sure makes him think twice and thrice before accessing the equity line.

Talk about accountability.

Do you have someone your accountable to?

**dcompton** · 01-28-2009, 08:39 PM

Wow. That would be grim.

I have no one to be accountable to, and sometimes it would help. I have to do all the cautions and reminders myself. Unfortunately, sometimes I turn a deaf ear to myself!

**rowdy35** · 02-07-2009, 02:44 PM

it's kind of like living in a small town. I live in a small town (Alaskan island) for about 7 years and everyone knows everyone's business. lol

i certainly don't miss that !!!

**rainbowgc** · 02-07-2009, 03:20 PM

I don't think I would like that. Isn't our privacy eroded enough?

**homesteadmamma** · 02-07-2009, 03:49 PM

Originally Posted by rainbowgc

I don't think I would like that. Isn't our privacy eroded enough?

I agree.

It's no one's business as far as I'm concerned. Dh and I are accountable to each other. We didn't use to be, however now that we are I wouldn't have it any other way.

**Michelle** · 02-07-2009, 04:36 PM

Dave & I are accountable to each other. I would hate going through what you described. It's no one else's business what we do with our money, and I don't owe anyone an explanation.

**Luv2BeFrugal** · 02-08-2009, 03:29 AM

Dh & I only have each other to be accountable to...

Coming here helps me to "be accountable" to you all... BIG help!

**Greebo** · 02-08-2009, 06:55 AM

I have serious questions about the legality of discussing an employee's finances with other employees.

But it certainly *would* make you behave more carefully...

**missmanny** · 02-09-2009, 12:38 AM

just me and DSO - wouldn't necessarily say that I am "accountable" to him but I generally ask him his opinion if I am planning a big purchase. then we will discuss the pros and cons and then I make the decision (the same for his money)

**Scattymum** · 02-09-2009, 02:36 AM

wow, whatever happened to privacy laws! DH and i are not necessary accountable to each other but all purchases tend to be run by each other.

**phoeny_moonstar** · 02-09-2009, 02:40 AM

DF and I are accountable to each other and we like it that way.

**imagine** · 02-09-2009, 08:48 AM

Originally Posted by Greebo

I have serious questions about the legality of discussing an employee's finances with other employees.

But it certainly *would* make you behave more carefully...

I'm betting Hubby was just in a strange situation. One of those that needs to be in the know about this type of info because it is his job (only those in the need to know are in the meeting) and being one of those on the list. I'm betting if he would not of had to said what he spent it on, he just felt the need to.

**imagine** · 02-09-2009, 08:55 AM

Originally Posted by Scattymum

wow, whatever happened to privacy laws! DH and i are not necessary accountable to each other but all purchases tend to be run by each other.

Banks (bankers) tend to know personal finance info. of people but it is their personal and professional obligation not to tell the outside world. Much like Doctors can't discuss your health with others than those involved in your care or like teachers know info about students but can't discuss it with those not involved with the teaching of that student.

**Gunny_Frost** · 02-09-2009, 02:14 PM

I had not heard that before, and I am not sure that I like it. My wife and I are accountable to each other as a team. We discuss where each dollar will go for the future. (I did stray at Christmas, but she forgave me).

Even last week, when I wanted to place a book order on the Book Closeout site, I ofrwarded her my list with the prices, and we agreed as to what we would order.

We are not out of the woods yet, but I can see a clearing on the horizon.

Cheers,

**McD** · 02-09-2009, 02:21 PM

I'd be livid if the bank I worked for did that. There is absolutely no need for it. Each office has one person that reviews the daily negative account reports and acts on it accordingly. Names do not need to be read...that's absurd.

The bank I work for practices a strict confidentiality in regards to employee accounts. We have no way of seeing our own account balances or that of other employees on our teller systems. We also cannot process each other's loan apps, they are sent out to our underwriters.

That makes me mad just thinking about it.