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Just Married...Joint bank account

I just got married and we want to get a joint bank account. We both have our own bank accounts with Barclays so we were just wondering whether we should/could get a joint bank account with Barclays or should we just get my wife added onto my account.

Any advice/opinions greatly appreciated.
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Comments

  • wildbri
    wildbri Posts: 218 Forumite
    we have been married for over forty years, never had a joint bank account
    never thought about it, although I think that we may be unusual but it suits us and has never caused us problems. regards bri:)
  • CLAPTON
    CLAPTON Posts: 41,865 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    why do you want a joint a/c?
  • gazfocus
    gazfocus Posts: 2,468 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    CLAPTON wrote: »
    why do you want a joint a/c?
    mainly because at the moment we both consider our bank balances as 'our own money' whereas we want it to be 'our money'. It'll also make it easier for us both to keep an eye on the money we have.
  • FlowerPower
    FlowerPower Posts: 190 Forumite
    you could open a joint account, and keep both of your single accounts - so most of your money could go into the joint account as shared money, but then you could both have an 'allowance' in your own accounts to spend as you like?
  • Torry_Quine
    Torry_Quine Posts: 18,888 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    wildbri wrote: »
    we have been married for over forty years, never had a joint bank account
    never thought about it, although I think that we may be unusual but it suits us and has never caused us problems. regards bri:)

    We're the same although not married as long, whatever works for you.
    Lost my soulmate so life is empty.

    I can bear pain myself, he said softly, but I couldna bear yours. That would take more strength than I have -
    Diana Gabaldon, Outlander
  • erdd2
    erdd2 Posts: 1,070 Forumite
    gazfocus wrote: »
    I just got married and we want to get a joint bank account. We both have our own bank accounts with Barclays so we were just wondering whether we should/could get a joint bank account with Barclays or should we just get my wife added onto my account.

    Any advice/opinions greatly appreciated.

    You can apply for either, whatever suits you both

    And you could add yours to the wife's ;)
  • stclair
    stclair Posts: 6,855 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 19 July 2011 at 10:58PM
    Remember should you get a joint bank account you will both become financially linked with the credit reference agencies etc
    Im an ex employee RBS Group
    However Any Opinion Given On MSE Is Strictly My Own
  • Wyndham
    Wyndham Posts: 2,632 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    I think this is an issue where if you both have the same attitude to money it can work well, but if one of you is a spender and the other is a saver then you'll potentially have problems with a joint account.

    I've had one for 17 years, no problems. Did it when we got married. And I added him to my account, not me being added to his ;)
  • MrsBunny
    MrsBunny Posts: 292 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    just about to get married myself. Both of us had accounts at Lloyds, went in one day and the advisor closed down my hubbie to be account and added him to my account to make it joint. Quick and easy and done in about 5 minutes. It works for us becuase my hubby to be was out of work and everything came out of my account. when he picked up some work, he got paid weekly and it was annoying transferring money each week into my account. Now both in full time jobs, we have the joint account which our wages get paid into and we both have a cash card account with the co-op that we have our monthly 'pocket money' paid into. this money of £100 a month is used for any new clothes/magazines/cinema trips etc and we find it works for us. We also find that we can save better too as once that £100 in our cash accounts is gone, then its gone we can not touch the current account unless it is an emergency.

    I personally think its down to how you work in your relationship. The above works for us, but may not work for you.
    Proud mummy to an amazing 8 year old!
  • marywooyeah
    marywooyeah Posts: 2,670 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    I got married on saturday, and one of the cheques we got was made out to Mr and Mrs marywooyeah but when we went to cash it were we told we couldnt unless we had a joint bank account and would we like to get one.
    it was a unanimous NO!!! most of our arguments throughout our relationship have been over him running out of money and wanting me to bail him out. he got a promotion so it hasnt been a problem for a while, but I want to keep our finances seperate. He pays the rent and I pay the bills, but I buy most of the food and things for our son and I dont think its fair that I could end up spending his money and he mine, I just think its fairer and easier to keep it seperate.
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