Joint accounts - do you use one?

Timmne

Just 'putting the feelers out' really (as it's 'Friday')...

Something I have always found interesting in relationships is the joint account situation, how some people share everything they have financially, some put a certain amount into the joint account and others split expenses between them.

My girlfriend and I share a joint account and everything goes into it and we pay a small amount into our own current accounts each week for wasting on beer at lunch time and things like that. I think if it wasn't this way we'd probably argue about who pays for what etc....

What is your view?

Bean_Counter

Wife and I have one joint account, which I opened not long after getting married. Everything in and out of one account. We have a large difference in earning potential, and this way we have no arguments over money. Either we can afford something as a family or we can't. We've never had an argument over my money this and your money that.

Works well for us, anyway.

Dan_Thunder

My wife and I have a joint account into which we both deposit X amount of our monthly salary to pay for bills/food etc. The rest is our own to do with what we want.

nadnad

yep we're like Dan Thunder. and i think its best that way - I like having "my own money", it gives that little bit of independence. Also its nice to be able to buy pressies for my husband out of my own money - otherwise its kinda like he's buying stuff for himself and vice versa.

nats3006

Me and oh have out own bank accounts seperate he will pay for certain things me other things never argue though surprisingly!! well not as yet!

poe.tuesday

I'm the same as Bean Counter, have one account and it all goes in there, I earn at least 5 times the amount that my partner earns but we have a life together, we have a home and children together and we have one account together.

I think it wouod be terrible if we didn't, he would never be able to afford he half of stuff we buy or pay his half on places we go to.

overlykeensaver

we have our own accounts and then pay set amounts each month into an account for all our bills and direct debits. We also then pay set amounts into a joint savings account each month. The rest is for groceries and playing!

poe.tuesday

do those of you who don't have joint accounts have children (still at home and bleeding you dry)?

plane_boy2000

own accounts and joint one. we both put a contribution into the joint account which pays all the household bills, and then we spend everything else on a joint credit card. At the end of the month we pay the credit card in full using both our money. My partners income varies quite a bit so sometimes she pays more, sometime me.

Lyndsay_21

we at the moment have seperate accounts however OH put the bill money in my account and i get the ctc and cb paid in weekly so i have that, but we will be getting a joint account for Direct debits etc and a joint savings one.

conradmum

I couldn't vote as our money managing strategy isn't one of the choices. DH pays all the household bills and I contribute a fixed amount every month. I used to pay for half of everything but then I figured I was also doing most of the housework too! So now I pay for about 1/4 of the bills and I make up the rest in labour. It suits us.