How does it work in your house?

**Englishlady** · 08-09-2010, 07:53 AM

In the past waaaay back when I was working and had folks to chat to

I was amazed at how many couples had his and hers seperate financial lives.

Even though I had been married before it never occured to me that dh and I wouldn't pool all our money.

I realise that being married is old hat now and that could account for some couples keeping things sperate but those of you who are happily married and secure do YOU have seperate finances?

No need to go into details of course just a general question.

We have always shared money and pooled everything and it's just as well too because when I had my car accident and was unable to work I would have been in big trouble if we had done things any other way!

My husband says he is the "Producer" and I am the "Director" and he earns the money and I run all the finances and coordinate things.

I had more experience of handling the finances and I am a black belt frugalista

Every few months or so I show him the domestic accounts so he can see where the money goes.

We have a set amount of personal pocket money each which we spend on whatever we like and that helps.

Everything is written down in a file and we discuss any changes in the finances ( good or bad) and we decide how to re do our finances accordingly.

About 18 months ago dh had a 20%pay cut so we had to re-jig things.

We are expecting changes to his pension set up in the near future so that could be another big change, but we will see what happens and try and accomodate things by cutting back in other areas.

So how do things work in your house?

**Russ** · 08-09-2010, 07:57 AM

Pooled accounts. I have enough trouble keeping up with everything that needs doing without juggling more.

**Ceashels** · 08-09-2010, 08:09 AM

Greebo = CFO Chief Financial Officer - he does the book and numbers, he is the nerd, he is/was the spender

Ceashels = COO Chief Operating Officer - I run the day to day operations of the household, I am the free spirit, I'm the saver

Initially in our relationship we each contributed the same percentage of our income to the household fund and that covered the mortgage down to the food. It was equitable, neither of us felt as if we were sponging off the other. Our bills were paid and life was good. Greebo did keep his debt separate from the household expense. There was however no plan for the future. I saved my "leftover" percentage and Greebo spent his.

After finding Dave Ramsey, just 2 years ago, we combined our moneys, we budgeted for everything from the mortgage to fun money. It is still equitable, both of us fully support each other. His debt is now shared. Our bills are paid and life is better because we have a plan. The debt is gone and the left over percentage of what isn't used is invested in our future.

**nodmicks** · 08-09-2010, 08:12 AM

We pool everything . We never thought to do otherwise even though dh earns over 80% of the $. I'm the person that does all the budgeting bills etc.

**AmyBoz** · 08-09-2010, 08:12 AM

We both work and our money goes into joint accounts. I pay the bills with the checkbook, and he translates it all into Quicken for the greater financial picture.

**greekislandgirl** · 08-09-2010, 08:13 AM

We've only been married for 3 months so we're still figuring all this out. My husband is definitely the "Producer" and I'm the "Director" in our house too. Although I made more money than he did, so had more savings, I'm unemployed starting in like four days. He is employed and has a steady income, and since there's no telling when I'll find a job, we are just doing everything based on his income alone. However, I'm pretty much doing all the budgeting and shopping and saving stuff myself. I keep track of all our receipts for taxes too. I have a big notebook with weekly budget charts that I update every day. He admits that he would not bother doing that.

As far as pooling money - we do it strangely. All of our everyday expenses and bills come out of his income, that includes anything I want for myself. All of my money that I had before we got married, plus my income from my summer job now, plus (most likely) my income in the future, goes and stays in savings.

This is because he is paid in local currency and I'm not. We like to maintain our savings in American banks because we're living in very uncertain times. If there is a bank run here or if the banks where he has accounts fail, we would lose all that money. So it's better (as we see it) to keep the bulk of our money in the US, and since I already had those accounts, we haven't changed them. So as it is now, we use his accounts for living, and my accounts for savings. This might change if our circumstances change.

**frugalwarrior2** · 08-09-2010, 08:15 AM

Really about the same as you. Since taking Financial Peace University class DH has an idea where the monety is actuall y going specifically. He wasn't interested until now,even when i waved the paper in front of his face.lol

**jas** · 08-09-2010, 08:54 AM

Dh is the producer and I am the director so everything is pooled together of course. From his regular salary everything is paid from that. Dh does do some side jobs and we each get a 25% cut of that to do whatever we want to with. His usually goes to fixing up an old 1979 Monte Carlo (his first car). Mine right now I am saving for my ds wedding. The rest of the side job money is set aside for taxes and a few other things.

**Rhiamon** · 08-09-2010, 09:29 AM

With everything that has gone on and seperating from my DH I WILL NEVER again share an account with a man.

**cab54** · 08-09-2010, 10:06 AM

DH and I were married in the middle ages (1978) so we have always done it same as you---our money is OUR money. Even though he has been the major bread earner since 1985.

**nessarowdy** · 08-09-2010, 10:33 AM

We have had joint accounts since we got married. He is the main earner, and I handle all bills. We need to work on building a better budget, though, which I'm going to work on this month.

- Vanessa

**fernykins** · 08-09-2010, 10:34 AM

I use to believe in joint accounts but not anymore. I'm 53. just a few weeks ago my # 2 son left his second wife. She decided that everything was hers. They have no chilldren. He has custody of his boys. There would be no money for him to take a lunch to work but she could spend 200 on her hair and 80 on her nails. He will never have a joint account again. Not worth the problems. I have my own account.
Fern

**ruderring** · 08-09-2010, 10:41 AM

We share ours, however we are unsure of DH's job situation in a few months so, I have really been trying to funnel all of my paychecks towards daily living and using his paychecks towards debt wipe out. I will be getting a raise in a few weeks and all of that will be put into savings just in case a comparable job is not found. I am optimistic though because it is not of losing a job but wanting a different job due to less than ideal working conditions. If he doesn't find one I am hoping he will stay. If not we will be prepared and could make it on my salary alone.