If you have more than one sibling...

So, I have 2 younger siblings (the youngest is 23, and both live with my parents). I'm the only one who's married, has a kid, a house, blah blah blah.

So, here's my question... If you have siblings and ever treat your parents for things or split gifts for your parents, do you split it by number of siblings (for me, we'd each pay 1/3), or do you include spouses (so, my bro would pay 1/4, sis would pay 1/4, I would pay 1/4, and my hubby would pay 1/4)?

Any comments would be greatly appreciated!

Re: If you have more than one sibling...

Same situation here. We each pay 1/4 so my husband and I pay more, it seems only fair that way.

Message edited 2/18/2013 8:00:25 AM.

Re: If you have more than one sibling...

We have always split by siblings (even though the gift is technically from spouses too). I have two sibs, we always split 1/3 each.

Re: If you have more than one sibling...

We split by siblings, spouse is not included. It would never have occurred to me to do it any other way.

If you have more than one sibling...

When we used to do this it was generally by siblings. I never included DH in the split.

Re: If you have more than one sibling...

Re: If you have more than one sibling...

By siblings

Re: If you have more than one sibling...

We split by siblings not including spouses. 99% of the time I am the one who buys, wraps, signs the card and gives the present on behalf of everyone. One of my brothers is married, the other is not. All are over 25. I am the oldest, and 9 years older than my youngest brother. Once he graduated from college and had a job we split 3 ways. I was married at that point.

Message edited 2/18/2013 11:14:26 AM.

If you have more than one sibling...

I have a younger brother and sister. I'm the one who does all the shopping for Christmas and birthday gifts and tell them what they owe me. My sister is only 17 so I don't make her give any money. My brother just started working a full time job so I just started having him give money. I usually have him give less only because I know my DH & I make much more than him. So I guess I kind of do "whatever you can afford". I'd hate to get my parents an expensive gift and have my brother feel like he has to pay an extravagant amount he can't afford. He's a 22 year old guy so he has no idea how much anything costs- I just tell him what to give me! (And since I feel bad asking him for too much, its usually less than half). If my sister ever does to contribute (which is rare since she is in HS and works about 4 hours a week) I tell to give me about 10 or 20 just so she feels like she's contributing.

When the time comes they both have good FT jobs, then I have no problem splitting 1/3 each.

Re: If you have more than one sibling...

We split by siblings.

Re: If you have more than one sibling...

Re: If you have more than one sibling...

By siblings not including spouses. Never thought to do it any other way.

With DH's family they also split between siblings but sometimes we chipped in a little more due to his sister and BIL's financial situation.

But in general it is a 3 way split on both sides.

If you have more than one sibling...

If we split up a cost.. we do it by sibling available then sibling capable. I am more money secure than my big brother so I would give substantially more than him, if we split it.

Generally, our family has been too poor to care who pays what and hold it against another. It really is the thought that counts. You don't get props for having the more expensive gift or the fancier stuff. You get credit if its a truly meaningful gift.

So, I'll pay for everything and say its from 'us'. My little sister is more financially secure now then before so she'll try to kick back some cash, but I generally decline. If however, it something pricey and she insists then yes, I'll take half of whatever she offers.

The twins both still live at home and one can't work while the other is a part time stock guy at the grocery store. No way I'd take his money or the other's social Security money.

In a perfect world, one will find 'the gift', tell the others and the other can or can not contribute as they please. Makes no difference. If he/she with money to spare doesn't contribute we feel bad for them not understanding the value of family but all things will come in their due time and they'll 'get' it sooner or later and we'll all just carry on.

We agreed early... money and family can equal drama. So we made it a point to never let it happen.


ETA: all siblings are over 22 in our family (if that matters)

Message edited 2/18/2013 9:33:36 AM.

Re: If you have more than one sibling...

We split by siblings spouses aren't included in the calculation.

Re: If you have more than one sibling...

Split by siblings.

Re: If you have more than one sibling...

There are 6 of us. We usually split by siblings. There have been times when we might chip in more when one of the younger ones can't spend that much.

If you have more than one sibling...

Split by siblings.

Counting DH separately would be like saying you and your spouse would buy separate gifts if you weren't all going in together which I'm sure you wouldn't!

Re: If you have more than one sibling...

We are all married now but have always spilt by siblings even when only one was married. We don't have a huge age difference though. I suppose if 2 of us were older with good jobs and one was younger and still getting on their feet we may have split it differently.

If you have more than one sibling...

We split by person. 3 of us are married with good jobs and 1 is in college with no money. I feel it is not fair to him to pay more. If we buy something, we split 7 ways.

Re: If you have more than one sibling...