A straw poll : Personal finances

[douglasgdmw]

We both pay the same amount into a joint account to pay our bills, then have our own account for our own money. Its not a hard and fast rule though, as i pay for all the cars and stuff, but neither of us complain, and if she ever needs money, she only has to ask.

More or less the same. We both have individual accounts which our salaries go into and the joint is used as a fund for all the basic outgoings, mortgage, gas, sky etc. We do have some things come out of our own account but dwindling down through the years.

Cheers
George

[Rag_It]

We both pay the same amount into a joint account to pay our bills, then have our own account for our own money. Its not a hard and fast rule though, as i pay for all the cars and stuff, but neither of us complain, and if she ever needs money, she only has to ask.

- I suspect this will change when children come along, but both earning good money so no need to tip it all into one account just yet! What she doesn't know won't hurt eh!?

[Daveb]

We both pay the same amount into a joint account to pay our bills, then have our own account for our own money. Its not a hard and fast rule though, as i pay for all the cars and stuff, but neither of us complain, and if she ever needs money, she only has to ask.

Same but wondered as per O/P what is the 'right thing to do'? We have another joint where we can pay money in to do things together. Think its just whatever works out between the couple - there is no rule that says you must put all money into a joint account if your married but then is it right to keep it seperate? Bit selfish?

Think keeping it seperate with a joint for bills lets you track your finances better.

[cla5h]

+1 for the Stevoraith method - we each pay a similar %age of our income into a joint account which covers all the regular bills.

The rest, we spend how we see fit.

Best and fairest way if both in work, and no kids involved.

[graeme]

Income?

[renmure]

Joint here.
Seems to work well.
By nature I am a tightfisted git and Wendy encourages me to spend more.
By nature Wendy is a spendy Wendy and I encourage her to spend less.
Win-Win really

[Kelvin]

I'm divorced and it still feels joint lol :cry

When I was married I had the same approach as Robin.

Ashley and I are just discussing this now that we are moving in together although simplified by the fact she recently gave up her job to write a book. I wonder what the difference is between those that are married and those that live together. I suggested that I'll pay for everything and Ashley pays me whatever we work out is a fair share of the bills (when she starts earning any money again that is) but she said that this would make her feel like a lodger. Seems straightforward to me and no need to create any other accounts. However, we appear to have agreed that we'll have a joint bills account that we both pay into and all the bills get paid from there as this is more like a team. Fair enough I guess.

[Mandy]

Joint for everything, pretty much always has been since we got together

[Mr Momo]

Joint, with an ever expanding number of odd accounts for savings recommended by the bank

Separate credit cards mean "special things" can be bought, but also hides the amount spent in Sarah's favourite stores

But, then again - Caterham spares never get seen (except when they are lying on the sofa next to me ).

[Lazydonkey]

I'm divorced and it still feels joint lol :cry

When I was married I had the same approach as Robin.

Ashley and I are just discussing this now that we are moving in together although simplified by the fact she recently gave up her job to write a book. I wonder what the difference is between those that are married and those that live together. I suggested that I'll pay for everything and Ashley pays me whatever we work out is a fair share of the bills (when she starts earning any money again that is) but she said that this would make her feel like a lodger. Seems straightforward to me and no need to create any other accounts. However, we appear to have agreed that we'll have a joint bills account that we both pay into and all the bills get paid from there as this is more like a team. Fair enough I guess.

When my gf wasn't working we increased the "role" of the joint bill paying account so that it also started to pay for food shopping and the odd night out too. We both paid into it, but clearly she paid less than me. It meant she didnt have to always ask for money from me, and made her feel like less of a lodger / sponger.

Worth a look as it really helped our relationship in what can be a difficult time.

[rossybee]

it's my turn soon

Changes daily - plus swmbo is now wanting to change the tintop which could delay my 'plans'

[point n squirt]

Joint.....sort of/car fund