Money Moral Dilemma: Should I share my lockdown savings with my partner?

Tar123

The answer is quite simple.  Does your partners normally contribute to the costs you have now saved - if yes they should be entitled to a share of the savings, Based on the same percentage they would normally contribute, if no, then they should not be entitled to a share of the savings.  Good luck and well done on the extra savings you’ve made during this period

Fannyanny

the big question is who is paying to feed you whilst you work from home as you state the savings you have made are from travel and food, therefore are you contributing to the extra food that’s being consumed whilst you are at home?

denf

I was with my ex wife for 23 years and married for 19. I always had a joint bank account and shared everything and thought it was normal, even though she spent most of the money on herself. She went on to have an affair with a work colleague. It cost me over £140,000 for divorce settlement. Would I share my income again with my partner?? NO WAY 

[Deleted User]

Of course not, your partner is being unreasonable if your arrangements are that you share certain bills, regardless of income.  Your partner makes far more use of the shared home, creating expense without additional payment, if the partnership is such that they can ask for your lockdown windfall, perhaps you should make a counter-claim for them to cover those costs on a regular basis?

envia44

If you're in a committed partnership, which implies love and trust - or should,  why wouldn't  you share? My husband has always earned more than me , our money goes into one account, Bill's are paid, savings  put aside and then the rest is shared according to need or want. If he wants something expensive, I am happy to go without so he can have it and vice versa. All financial decisions are made together.  Surely that is what a partnership is? Ours is called marriage and has lasted 40 years. If you love, you share

mikeyft

This is the problem with relationships today. There should be one money pot, not "theirs and mine". 

snudger

Although I share all my income with my wife, it is for no one here to judge how you share your finances. So I would suggest a purely cold logical decision
1) if she normally pays more of the electricity etc as she works from home you should increase your contribution accordingly
2) as a separate issue she is entitled to half of this saving pot if she contributes half of your commuting costs. 

Both these points should be treated separately. Live by the sword, die by the sword and so on. 

Ps presuming that point 2 leaves the cash in your hands, currently things are a bit miserable, it’s up to you if you choose to ‘treat’ both of you or just yourself. But consider the wise words of a colleague of mine
”happy wife, happy life”

DSPonte

Depends if you want to get your leg over or not!

newkitchenfund

If you are saving money by not commuting, it's worth stashing at least some of it away - whether you do that in an individual or joint savings account is up to you. The next couple of years (at least) are likely to be very rocky financially for many people, even if you think your job is currently fairly secure. Pay off expensive debts first of course.
If you can, also consider donating a proportion (or all) of your monthly commute costs to one of the many charities that are supporting those who are struggling the most at the moment - food banks, homeless charities, Childline, domestic violence support etc. You won't really miss the money but it will mean a lot to others.

helenb19

Personally I don't understand "my" money, since we moved into together, everything went into the pot - bills were paid and we shared left overs.  So I am intrigued as to what happens if one of you is sick with no income, are you excused paying your share of the bills? Also if either of you were to suddenly become unemployed, then all household income is taken into account. My friends used to have their "my" money until he lost his job, he couldn't claim benefits because she is working and has her savings. So now she says, " I love him and therefore have to support him".  What would you do in that situation?