Since Husband and I moved in together for the first time in 2007, we have kept our money separate. We always split the bills equally , even now that we’re married. However, we don’t have any bills together, really. (We did when we lived in the apartment last year, and like I said, we split everything equally.) I know that will change whenever we move to the house next month; we’ll have electric, water, internet, television, etc…
Over the course of our relationship, we have never fought over money. What I make is mine; what he makes is his. We gladly share our money as well. (Sometimes I pay for dinner; sometimes he pays.) I think keeping our money separated is the reason for the lack of fights about money. I’m worried that things will change once we have more bills together. So. We’re opening a seperate account. With both of our names on it. However, we’ll also keep our personal accounts separate as we do now, and the joint account will be for bills, groceries, and household items only. We’ll continue to pay for our own gas and insurance, and we’ll continue to “take turns” paying when we go out for dinner. Once (if!) we have children, this will change, of course; but for now, I think it’s a great method for us.
We’re still planning on splitting the bills right down the middle, as well (if the incoming money allows us that privilege). We’re just getting the joint account so that we’ll both have access to those funds when it comes time to pay a bill. I’ve realized how money can put a huge damper on a marriage/relationship sometimes, and I don’t want that for us. We are able to discuss what we spend our money on still, but we make the decision ourself on whether we spend it or not. Luckily, we’re both relatively smart with our money (otherwise, this method wouldn’t work at all), and we don’t just blow it when we know we should be saving.
Do you think three separate accounts (two personal and one joint) is a good method for a relationship, or do you think all of the money should go into one account?
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