Sending money to ME/NA

[Mrs. Forgetful 2]

I've been wondering for some time now what people think about their spouse sending to their ME/NA families. I understand some situations, but now with the economy the way it is here in the USA, is it ok to send money you may or may not have to send? Anyway, please feel free to comment! Thanks for your opinion!

(Hopefully I did this poll correctly!)

Edited October 14, 2009 by Mrs. Forgetful

[MouadsWife 161]

When my fiance comes here, I am 100% completely supportive of him sending money to his family. His family is not well off and is dependant on his support, and I am with him 100%. His family is my family, and I want to be assured they are taken care of.

[Nothing1234 2]

IMO...

Our family first. Everyone else second, including my family as well.

I believe discussions are important about sending money or spending money on others outside our family unit. Although, we typically don't send money unless its a holiday or birthday for our families plus as you stated, our economy is in the sh!tter so everyone should be saving (of course emergencies happen, thank god none have yet!).

Recently though, I had a family member (and her kids) come and stay with us. We discussed the fact that they were flat broke and needed help. He was very supportive of helping them out financially to get set up in their own place. Perhaps his agreement had to do with wanting them out of our house so badly too!!

Blindly sending money...with no reason. No thanks!

[brnidokiegurl 0]

Ahmed has never asked or mention to send any money back home, i hear stories of family fixing up the house, buying a car etc so i think i would have to say they manage ok but we do send things for his neice and a young cousin, for her it is such a treat for her to receive a box and for him his father (ahmeds uncle) is not working and sickly so we try to do things for the young boy, also he does include maybe some lotions etc for the mom but no money

[ya falaha! 0]

I agree with Annie. Just sending money to send it, no. If there's a problem of some kind, yes.

My husband has sent quite a bit of money to his family the past few months because of his father's illness and subsequent death. The medicine and treatment for the illness was quite expensive. At the end, he sent money in order for his family to prepare for the burial. Prior to his father's illness, he only sent money one other time as a gift to his sister for her wedding.

I don't buy this ####### about sending money to "set up a home" back home. You can't save money here and buy the home together at another time? I dunno, it's suspect to me.

[New Beginnings 32]

As long as it is discussed and agreed upon I have no problem with it. I see no difference in my husband sending money home and me supporting my parents when they get older if needed.

It's family, parents, siblings... what else can you do? If you can help when needed, you help. Doesn't matter if they're in MENA or Minnesota. That's just my opinion.

[Staashi 371]

We send money to Argentina to pay for my In-laws health insurance costs - about $60 a month. I also like to add about $20 to $40 extra so that my MIL can buy something nice for herself, or treat them to a nice meal. It's small but significant.

[ya falaha! 0]

That's a really sweet gesture, Staashi.

We send money to Argentina to pay for my In-laws health insurance costs - about $60 a month. I also like to add about $20 to $40 extra so that my MIL can buy something nice for herself, or treat them to a nice meal. It's small but significant.

[angie & abed 1]

We've sent money to his family on a few occasions. His family is dependent on him and a younger sister working in Dubai for house payments and emergencies (which there have been a couple major ones). He is the eldest son and his father passed away many years ago. I love them dearly and would rather go without than them, of course I always make sure all our bills and the kids needs are taken care of first...there's just not a lot of padding in the ole savings account, in fact, I think it's mostly cobwebs in there right now and perhaps a couple dust bunnies.....

[And_Sam 44]

I have no problem with my husband sending money to his family to help out provided that we are taken care of also. I understand that they are worse off in his country, but the responsibility to my kids are important too.

[prince+angel 3]

The only thing my husband has said he wanted to do is repay his father for the ticket he purchased to get here. Once he's working and can afford to do so - fine by me, I would do the same if my parents paid for anything for me.

As far as sending money home "just because" ??? Well its his $$ & as long as he meets his household & savings responsibilites then I guess I would be cool with it. However, he's never contributed to his family before so I dont know why he would start now & if sending $$ homes breaks him to the point where he cant take of the household he's living in - then we'd have a problem.

No prob with sending thoughtful, small gift for Eid, Ramadan, birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, etc .. for those special moments ...

[Muh and me 18]

When my husband bought his house in Morocco, he borrowed money from his brother that lives in the states. So he is paying him back and instead of it goin back to the brother, it gets sent to his mom. I have no problem with this cause its a debt set up in our budget and we are able to handle the amount we send every month. But if our income could not handle it, we would not be paying what we are. IMO, we come first. And then his mother and brothers in Morocco or if my parents were in need of help. But as far as everyone else goes, he thinks he needs money for everyone, he earns that money by himself aside from his paycheck. So he don't get into the household income.

[100% Al Ahly Fan 53]

As long as it is discussed and agreed upon I have no problem with it. I see no difference in my husband sending money home and me supporting my parents when they get older if needed.

It's family, parents, siblings... what else can you do? If you can help when needed, you help. Doesn't matter if they're in MENA or Minnesota. That's just my opinion.

Laura, I agree. Family is family. Although, our family here comes first because if we don't take care of things here, then we can't help out the family in Egypt.

[Sandrila 1]

I know that hubby wants to do for his family back home but he has 2 brothers and a sister who live abroad who are very well off and we are no where near in the same financial situation as them.

I mean we are just like any other average family on here where visa the process had did me in and he just getting his feet wet with working.

I say, if we are in a position to send it, fine and would love to, but since he has arrived 11 months ago, we have not been.

We are just starting our lives together here and we need to tackle matters at home.

Sorry to say it but let those who can help (siblings) help. When he was over there rotting away no one gave a rat's ####### about him or his future now he needs to look out for himself and our family.

I plan to take some goodies and gifts there when we return next year.

Edited October 14, 2009 by Sandrila

[Sandrila 1]

We've sent money to his family on a few occasions. His family is dependent on him and a younger sister working in Dubai for house payments and emergencies (which there have been a couple major ones). He is the eldest son and his father passed away many years ago. I love them dearly and would rather go without than them, of course I always make sure all our bills and the kids needs are taken care of first...there's just not a lot of padding in the ole savings account, in fact, I think it's mostly cobwebs in there right now and perhaps a couple dust bunnies.....

i agree and hear ya on that !