Marriage is not just about two people coming together; it’s also about two families, two financial habits, and two sets of responsibilities. One of the biggest challenges couples face after marriage is balancing financial obligations towards parents while also securing their own future.
Let me share a real situation that many newly married couples might relate to.
The Background
Before marriage, my wife used to send around 40% of her salary to her parents. I respected that—after all, supporting one’s parents is a beautiful responsibility. But after marriage, I noticed that her parents weren’t in a difficult situation financially. In fact, they seemed to be overspending on lifestyle and shopping.
Here’s our situation now:
- I earn ₹85,000 per month, and my wife earns ₹75,000 per month.
- To secure our family’s future, especially since my wife is now 5 months pregnant, we mutually decided to save my entire salary in her account.
- From her salary, ₹25,000–₹30,000 still goes to her parents every month.
- After that, we are left with about ₹45,000, out of which ₹25,000 goes into house rent and maid expenses. This leaves us adjusting and cutting corners in our daily lives, even for things like medicines and household needs.
Now, here’s where the dilemma arises:
- My parents have always encouraged me to save for my new family. They are managing their own expenses without asking for help, despite having less.
- On the other hand, my in-laws are financially well-off. They earn around ₹1,00,000 per month themselves, and their younger daughter (my sister-in-law) also contributes 30% of her ₹1,05,000 salary to them. Yet, they continue to accept money from my wife as well.
The Two Sides
- My Wife’s Perspective
- She feels it’s her duty to keep supporting her parents, as she always did before marriage.
- For her, this is about love, responsibility, and consistency—marriage shouldn’t stop her from being there for her parents.
- My Perspective
- I respect her sense of duty, but I feel we are at a stage where our new family needs financial stability first.
- It feels unfair that my parents, who manage with less, never ask for money, while my in-laws—who live a more lavish lifestyle—continue to take a chunk of our income.
- With a baby on the way, medical expenses, and future savings, should we really be struggling while they live comfortably?
What’s Right or Wrong Here?
There’s no absolute “right” or “wrong.” Both sides have valid points. Supporting parents is noble, but financial help should be based on need, not habit. If parents are already secure and well-supported (by income and another child), maybe it’s time for them to encourage their married children to build their own foundation.
At the same time, cutting off support suddenly can create emotional tension and misunderstandings. So the balance lies in setting boundaries with love and clarity.
Final Thoughts
Marriage is about partnership. Financial decisions should never feel one-sided or unfair. If one partner feels burdened, it will eventually affect the relationship. Supporting parents is a responsibility, but so is building a secure future for your child.
In the end, the solution lies in balance—respecting the emotional need to support parents, while also ensuring the financial health of your own household. Because the truth is: if your own family struggles, you won’t be in a position to support anyone else in the long run.
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