My wife spends all of my money and refuses to get a job herself – we need it for bills

DEAR DEIDRE: MY wife won’t lift a finger but is happy to spend all my hard-earned money.

I’m 44, she is 43 and our children are 13 and 11.

She refuses to get a job, while I work 14 hours a day with travel on top and often work at the weekends.

I’m exhausted and feel like I never see our children.

She spends my money eating out most evenings with her friends and also with our kids.

I once asked her to get a part-time job to help with the financial pressure and she accused me of abusing her.

I can’t keep going on like this, struggling to pay the bills.

What should I do?

DEIDRE SAYS: It is no wonder you are worried and feel unsupported – your wife is spending recklessly.

You need to pick a moment when you can talk to her again and explain exactly how you are feeling.

My support pack Looking After Your Relationship will help you improve your communication and a separate one, Family Finances, can help with money issues.