How do you split expenses in your household?

BugglyB

Mojisola wrote: »

It's everyone's choice how they arrange these things but, to us, we are partners and share our lives. That includes the money that comes into the household.

Yes it is everyones choice how they arrange these things - we are also partners and we also share our lives

Gloomendoom

Another vote for it's all 'our' money. Things run a lot more smoothly that way. Isn't sharing what being in a committed relationship is all about?

We have no complex mathematical algorithms to work out who pays what, where and when. We earn roughly the same. I pay all the bills, including the mortgage. Mrs G buys the food. We don't have spending money. No need, within reason, each of us spends what we like, on what we like, without feeling the need to justify it to the other. We are both sensible enough not to break the bank, so-to-speak.

[Deleted User]

Gloomendoom wrote: »

Another vote for it's all 'our' money. Things run a lot more smoothly that way. Isn't sharing what being in a committed relationship is all about?

We have no complex mathematical algorithms to work out who pays what, where and when. We earn roughly the same. I pay all the bills, including the mortgage. Mrs G buys the food. We don't have spending money. No need, within reason, each of us spends what we like, on what we like, without feeling the need to justify it to the other. We are both sensible enough not to break the bank, so-to-speak.

Another vote for this method. I've got savings in my accounts, wife does too, we've also got a joint account that we sometimes use. However, it's all one pot of 'OUR MONEY' so it doesn't matter who's got what, or who earns what. The only one with their own 'ear-marked' money is our son.

As it is, my salary is double my wife's so I pay nearly all bills

It does leave me on a spot of bother when I want to spoil my wife and buy an expensive gift. It feels a bit like i'm spending her money without asking.... Day to day, we don't tend to buy much stuff anyway - the baby is the expensive one!

serious_saver

BugglyB wrote: »

I earn a lot less than my partner because of the job I have chosen and the hours I have chosen. So why should we have the same amount of disposable spending money?

We contribute 50/50 to household bills and mortgage etc.

I appreciate it would be different of course if we had a family.

We split everything 50/50 but as the higher earner I would be happy to pay more because as a couple we have each had to make significant life choices.

I earn more because of where I live and the job I have chosen to do. He supported me in pursuing a career that I am passionate about and as a result he has had to take a job that pays a much lower salary than he could be earning if we were to move to some where like London.

When we buy a house it doesn't bother me that I will be putting up most of the deposit and we will share the house 50/50 because it will be our home.

I feel very lucky because I have found someone who thinks just like me. We both trust each other not to over spend and get into debt. I know that if he wants to go out and buy something that seems frivolous it will be because he has been careful with finances in other areas.

I think the most important thing for any couple is to find a system that works for both of you. As soon as one person starts to resent the other you will have problems. I've come across some arrangements on this forum that I would never stand for but they seem to work for other people.

Any

We have roughly 60/40 split, even though my OH earns a LOT more then I do.. But he has son and old debts too...

I wouldn't want to have money pooled with him, I like some freedom and also don't want to know exactly where his money is going and him knowing exactly where my money is going... Also he has large expenses and car used for work etc etc etc... I wouldn't know whether we have or haven't got any money for me to buy a new shoes etc.. When is the next credit card payment and how much should be put aside for that...

Everything "ours" is paid from joint account. There is enough to cover the whole house and food and emergencies. The rest I earned I spend however I want.

We do discuss finances and future and pensions etc.. Not saying we don't plan together. It's just the every day management that I find easier this way.

He is my husband and my friend and I am his. We share lives. I don't need to share the money to feel like we are partners!!

gonzo127

I'm and man and married, so whatever is mine is hers and whatever is hers is hers.....

on the helpful note, i am the only worker as she stays home and looks after the house/kids, so the money i earn is used for everything, which i am more than happy with as it means the kids are getting the attention they deserve, as for spending any extra, this is always discussed before hand in that if we want something we speak to the other look at what we have left (if any) and decide which is more benifical to us

scotgirl

Giddytimes wrote: »

Do people who just use a joint account for everything not find this causes any issues? For example I can't imagine my OH being overly pleased when I spend £45 on a haircut, but to me this is budgetted for and I'd rather cut back in other areas.
I also am not sure I'd be able to bite my tongue if my OH were to go and pee £100 up the wall on a night out with his friends. :rotfl:
If these things are coming out of our own accounts, after all bills have been paid, then there is no need to mention it to each other.

Thats exactly how it should work though, that you have to try (not always easy) to not complain about what he spends on what he sees as important and what you see as important.

We are married 5 years but since we bought our own home 8 years ago we have pooled everything. I always think it seems strange when people go out for a meal as a long term/married couple and decide who is paying or split the bill!

VestanPance

The thing I liked about having some separate money is the ability to plan surprise gifts or treats. It gave you the opportunity to save up for special days or trips away.

VestanPance

scotgirl wrote: »

We are married 5 years but since we bought our own home 8 years ago we have pooled everything. I always think it seems strange when people go out for a meal as a long term/married couple and decide who is paying or split the bill!

We used an old sweetie jar as a treats jar. We each put in money on pay day each month and that was used to plan and pay for things like meals out, takeaways, the cinema etc.

Margaret52129

I'm with Gloomendoom -we've also got 'joint' everything - accounts, cc's and bills! OH does have his own business which is in his name, but any drawings from that goes into our joint account. He's full time and I'm part time.

I do most of the spending/buying and although we look at the statements, there is never any fingerpointing because I have bought something that he doesn't use (personal things usually!). And he might comment on the cost of my haircuts, but he doesn't tell me not to have it done!

He rarely buys anything (except my bday and Xmas gifts!) I buy everything else, his clothes, food, presents, etc. but he does 'pay' the bills, and by that I mean he organises the payments from the joint account.

Any sports or hobbies we have are paid by the joint purse (he very rarely has any cash - I accuse him of thinking he's royalty!)

After 34 years of marriage it works for us, I can imagine if you're not married, then it might be different. Whatever you decided, it would have to be a joint agreed decision, preferably before moving in together. When and if children are involved in the partnership, then joint money should be the norm as you will be joint parents!