D.B.
Yikes, kiddo!!
OK-First off, a sit down with your darling husband is in order. I mean a capital "C" conference, not complaining or asking for help, but truly a negotiation. Get a sitter, send the kids to Grandma's, whatever it takes to get some one on one time with hubby and get the conversation started. He has to be co-leader and co-parent with you if you are to get any peace.
You said you have docked allowances and such that the girls now owe you money? Was your husband in on this arrangement?
(HUMOR me while I go on a bunny trail *wink-- it is appalling, in my opinionated opinion, to pay children for household chores-it teaches them all the wrong things about family cooperation, makes them overly money concious and ties caring for one's family and one's belongings to monetary reward. OK- rant over;)
There are somethings that are simply required to make a household run-laundry, dishes, cooking, grocery shopping, etc. No single family member should be expected by the other family members to perform personal care tasks, unless age or infirmity restricts someone's ability to perform the task for his or herself. So, pracitcally speaking, that means that the older girls can learn to do laundry, help with dinner, cook the occasional meal, and babysit. YES, I said it, Babysit.
But this is something that MUST be brought to the table and discussed with your husband. It sounds as though he may have abdicated the parenting and housekeeping responsibility solely to you. And this may be one very important reason his daughters have come to live with you-so that you and your husband can begin truly negotiating what kind of parents you want to be, both individually and together. Beyond all that you must provide a united foundation of clearly delineated expectations for your kids-and you can't do that on your own steam. GET HUBBY!!! I don't care if right now he thinks he is SUPERDAD because he occasionally picks up his socks and washes a plate, and don't let him give you the "I provide the money" line either. A family is an organism AND an organization. If one cell gets infected, or depleted, or overworked, the entire organism is at risk.
If you made it all the way to the bottom of my little sermon there is one other thing to bring to the table. Your step-daughters have been through a trying time in their lives. The interaction and support of their father by establishing a healthy, cooperative environment for them to regain a sense of security and order should be one of his highest priorities.
Hang in there!!!