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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Separate checking and joint savings. Over time, we just sort of divvied up the bills based on our incomes. He makes more, so he pays more, and we both have plenty left over at the end of the month. Then we just just dump large chunks into savings whenever. I like having my own checking acct because it gives me a sense of control and autonomy. Also, my parents were always overdrawing their checking acct because nobody knew what the other was doing, and it stressed me out. Finally, I know I would micromanage my husband's spending if I knew exactly what he was doing, and I want him to feel like he has autonomy too. As long as we keep saving at a good rate, what I don't know can't hurt me.[/quote]

DH and I keep separate checking and brokerage accounts for similar reasons to those posted here. We both want the autonomy to spend without accounting to the other, and this works because we trust each others' spending habits.  Also, we haven't really had time to figure out how to handle logistics for managing a joint account and separate "montly allowance" funds.  We also both came from families where both parents worked but Dad made much more than mom so Dad paid the big bills and Mom just paid for her personal stuff (clothes, hair) and some family incidentals (kids' activity fees, gifts).  We basically do the same thing, although I spend my earned income on household supplies, groceries and kid stuff whereas our moms had a monthly allowance from our Dads for that purpose.

DH recently decided that he would prefer I use a credit card where the bills go to him for all kid, household, and grocery expenses, because he thinks I'll be more motivated to stay in the workforce despite being tempted to SAHM if I get to watch my savings balance rise.  He is probably right.  I need to see money in my own name to feel secure.

In reality, we both know that we're in it for the long haul so don't much care how the accounts are titled.  Every year or two we share account statements to see how we're doing.  I do sometimes worry that we're not in the right asset allocation because we each do our own thing, but not enough to make fixing that a priority.

Admittedly, our approach only works because we both work full time and live below our means, which gives us the luxury of not really having to budget.[/quote]

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