I own the house and pay the mortgage, utilities, maintenance costs. DH pays for kid stuff, vacations, dinners out, etc. Or I pay. It really doesn’t matter. Whoever goes to the grocery store/target/whatever pays there.

Anonymous wrote:I make more money so I eat. Spouse makes less money so they fast.

Yep me too, only the breadwinner eats in our family. Isn’t that why they’re called the breadwinner?

Anonymous wrote:I think its weird, but I get that many people simply don't trust that marriage will last forever and they need a plan just in case.

Yeah exit strategy

I think its weird, but I get that many people simply don't trust that marriage will last forever and they need a plan just in case.

Anonymous wrote:Keeping separate finances is just plain weird.

we were older when we got married. too lazy to combine things. though we have one joint checking account from which we pay the bills. we make enough money so this has never been an issue.

Keeping separate finances is just plain weird.

I am a SAHM right now so we maintain separate finances except for a joint CC where I am an authorized user that DH pays. When I was employed, we took turns for eating out and had assigned household bills- he paid the rent, I paid the utilities and groceries etc.

DH pays except on his birthday and Father's Day. He makes 6x what I make, eats more and always insists on paying. In our family whats his is mine and whats mine is mine We have always kept our money separate. It works for us and we never fight about money.

This is why DH and I prefer the his/mine/ours approach. We combine the majority of our income, we each keep some fun money proportionate to our incomes (X% of each paycheck) that we spend on individual meals out, food, grooming, hobbies, gifts for each other, etc.).

We just decide on the spot. Generally one of us volunteers depending on things like who bought groceries, who has been cooking, who's idea or choice it was to go out. We don't really debate it but it really does work itself out in the end.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I make more money so I eat. Spouse makes less money so they fast.

That is so cruel. We are in the same situation but I get something from kids' meal for my spouse. Grow up.

But only if they've had good behavior, right? You don't want to reward poor behavior and lack of work ethic.

Anonymous wrote:I make more money so I eat. Spouse makes less money so they fast.

That is so cruel. We are in the same situation but I get something from kids' meal for my spouse. Grow up.

I make more money so I eat. Spouse makes less money so they fast.

We contribute pro rata by income to a joint account and charge it to a joint credit card. I suppose this is a "hybrid" arrangement rather than purely separate finances so not sure if I fall within the scope of your question.

Do you take turns?