Living costs - couples

ailuro2

If you and your BF are talking about having kids in the future, then this is a committed relationship. Having to ask what's a fair percentage to pay into living costs indicates, however, that you're not really as equal as you think....in a good partnership you should trust each other implicitly, and be willing to give them the shirt off of your back if they need it, or at the verl least share it with them without question.

imho, your BF, judging by his strict 50/50 attitude, doesn't sound ready to be sharing anything significant with you just yet...

lynzpower

dearbarbie wrote: »

On holiday we split everything - money for meals, sightseeing, etc. is put into a kitty, but we buy our own souvenirs. We go places I can afford although we have a wedding in NYC he will pay a bit towards. We went to Tunisia this year as a break after a really hard time - but yeah, always what I can afford. I'm not asking him to buy me clothes and the like - it's just stuff like rent, especially in London where we are, is expensive (I moved here to be with him!)

We have a similar situation, my OH moved to london to be with me. He earns much less than I do.

I dont think London is *that* expensive, indeed we've often toyed with the idea of living outside of london - maybe moving up north to be nearer my fmaily or south to be with his. To be honest, once you realise that it could be v difficult to attain the same salaries outside of london - and look at the rents - london doesnt have to work out expensive at all.

We rent a 2 bed house in a lush area for 750 a month- and we could get cheaper ( thats unfurnished mind you). This suits BOTH of us. He wouldnt like me subsidising him - we came in equals and thats what we both want to remain. OH can afford this comfortably, I have hundreds extra to save. the savings go into my name although we have used his ISA allowance for the year- and will continue to do so in the future. the savings are for "the future" nothing important really, just in case we wish to emigrate/ buy land etc later.

We tend to spend about 900pcm on rent + all bills between us, and then he gives me 50pcm for the food budget which I tend to spend about 125-150 a month on food & cleaning & dog stuff ( no booze, thats a different budget)

Anything saved on rent & bills is moneysving, theres no point in throwing money down the drain on renting an expensive place, if you can get a cheaper place and save the difference for something exciting or go out and blow it all on having a good time. Ive paid silly rents here ( 600 for a one room houseshare anyone?!) and although it was a lovely house, it meant I could afford to do much less. Whats the point of living in london if you cant afford to do the fun stuff!!?

dearbarbie

Wow that's a bargain - where are you? We're in Chiswick/Shepherds Bush, and average £900-1000pcm furnished (we have no furniture!) Our friends are around here, and work is around here too. OMG Can't believe how cheap your place is!

floss2

We live together, in DF's house, and pay our contributions to the total household costs proportionately, based on each person's earnings being a percentage of the total net income, and applied to the bills etc. This includes a chunk of money each month to keep my DS's at Uni, because of our total household income. We then pay our own bills (mobiles, my life insurance, pensions etc) from "my" money, and spend or save what is left. We don't have a joint account yet as DF has a very good credit rating & I have a CCJ that is due to fall off next summer, so will open one after then.

This works for us!