Do you know your spouses income?

CharlieRabbit01

So I read this article and wondered how many people don't know what their partner earns:

http://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/know-much-spouse-earns-070002606.html?bcmt_s=m#ugccmt-container

I guess the couple in this article are around 40 (unless I've missed something they've been together 20 years and met in early 20's).

I'm in my 20's, I have been with my OH for 6 years we know how much the other earns roughly how much in savings.

We have separate bank accounts but since we earn similar salaries so all bills etc get split in half then any money each of us has left we can spend how we wish.

Any

Now I am modern thinking and we also have separate bank accounts (which traditionalist will slate us here for), but not knowing how much your SPOUSE earns is a step too far.
In marriage, you are a team and I think a knowledge of ones finances is very important. Any debts as well as savings automatically affect the other half, in case of divorce of death the other half would be most affected and they have certain right AND responsibilities...

I have the feeling I know better how much my husband earns that he does sometimes... as I have knowledge of tax and stuff, while he relies on me to advise him.

Smithy7876

I know what my OH earns but thats about it. We too have separate accounts and I have control of the one that pays the bills and mortgage. I dont want to come across as 'controlling' on the cash front although I know she is rubbish with money (and in a smallish amount of debt). As long as her money goes into the bills account I am relatively happy

continualdiamond

Yes I know what my husband earns and he knows what I earn. Coming up for being married for 2 years next week, been together for 13 years and had a joint bank account for about the last 8 years.

Works for us.

GwylimT

Approximately, her earnings vary every month, not sure what she has in savings etc I just know she has two ISA's.

browneyedbazzi

He knows roughly what I earn and I know roughly what he earns - but we bank separately and don't show each other our pay slips etc each month to know exact figures (if he asked he'd be welcome to see mine). We're fairly comfortable though so I've never felt a need to know down to the penny - if we were struggling then I'd probably want to know a lot more detail.

19lottie82

I know how much he earns as his basic salary, yes.

He does a lot of "homers" tho, and his income can vary from this week to week. I don't ask for this figure.

fashionlover10

I've been with OH for about 18 months and we've lived together for almost a year. We both know how much the other earns, although I think I know more about his finances than he does mine as I'm the maths head so I help him sort his finances.

We also have separate accounts at the moment and OH pays the rent while I pay the bills. We have briefly discussed having a joint account after we're married but separate suits us for now as OH has debt and I don't.

Kapoww

I just find that a bit odd not knowing how much they earn...how can you sort and split everything accordingly if you don't know what they can afford? I wouldn't like that at all!

The only way I can maybe understand you not knowing is if you don't work and they are paying for everything, so you wouldn't really think about it so much I guess?

:undecided

PenguinOfDeath

I know roughly what my (unmarried) OH earns, but not down to the penny. Mainly cos I used to do a similar job as him, plus we went through a mortgage application last year so it was on there.

We regularly access our own bank accounts on the laptop whilst sitting next to one another so it's not a secret what we have - as long as the bills are paid!

CharlieRabbit01

I think however you bank or pay the bills is personal preference but I do find it odd not to know even roughly how much your spouse earns.