Make a family plan for the money sent home

An agreement can make expectations clearer for both the person sending money and the household receiving it. Start with a conversation about what is affordable, what needs to be covered and what to do when circumstances change. The BSP’s PiTaKa program offers financial education for overseas workers and their families.

Decide together

List the household’s regular commitments and upcoming needs. Separately, the sender can check their own living costs and commitments before deciding what they can send. Agree on priorities, who will handle each payment, and how to discuss an unexpected expense. A plan should leave room for changing income and circumstances; it is not a promise to send an amount that is no longer affordable.

Ask whether the household wants to reserve anything for future needs, and review the plan when either side’s situation changes. There is no single allocation that fits every family. If the available amount cannot cover every need, discuss what is most urgent and which payment deadlines can be clarified with the people or institutions involved.

Keep the conversation safe and private

Choose a check-in schedule that works for everyone and agree on how much detail to share. Use a private channel; avoid sending account numbers, passwords or one-time passwords in a shared plan. Record decisions in words or categories if exact amounts do not need to be shared. The plan is a tool for cooperation, not a requirement to disclose every purchase.

General educational information; adapt the discussion to your circumstances.

Quick checklist

• Discuss what is affordable and which needs come first.
• Agree who handles payments and how to discuss changes.
• Choose a private way and time to check in.