Comments on: How to Combine Finances When One Partner Earns More

By: Alyssa

Alyssa — Wed, 03 Jan 2018 00:23:32 +0000

In reply to Leigh.

Totally!! I love that you mentioned teamwork and making things equal whether they're financially level or not. There are different ways to contribute to a relationship and sometimes those things are being the one to do the organizing and bill payer (because that part is super boring).

By: Alyssa

Alyssa — Wed, 03 Jan 2018 00:22:21 +0000

In reply to GYM.

Checking out the post now! So totally agree about the jealousy factor (obviously) haha. We love our joint account! It makes saving for goals so much easier when the money goes up quicker than it would if you were to attempt something alone.

By: Alyssa

Alyssa — Wed, 03 Jan 2018 00:21:30 +0000

In reply to liz.

Aw, thanks Liz! So cool to hear about your experience with splitting money as a couple. I think it's cool that everyone has a different style that works for them.

By: Alyssa

Alyssa — Wed, 03 Jan 2018 00:20:52 +0000

In reply to Chonce.

Love it! It's so important to be open because it does just that — motivates!

By: Chonce

Chonce — Mon, 18 Dec 2017 19:46:58 +0000

I agree with all of this! My husband and I do something similar, where one of us pays the larger bills, and the other focuses on smaller bills (like cell phones) and savings. It encourages both of us and shows us that we are both important in running our household expenses smoothly.

By: liz

liz — Tue, 28 Nov 2017 14:41:45 +0000

Thanks for this great article Alyssa! So many people just combine all finances so I think it is really helpful to have articles like yours showing readers that there are alternatives. Having both partners saving and investing keeps long-term goals top of mind for both. And I completely understand the jealous feelings when your partner makes more even though you are a beneficiary of that higher income. We've been married almost 29 years and have kept our money completely separate with great results. We shared house related bills based on our relative income and split other expenses 50/50 while we were working. Now that we're retired, we share house related bills based on our relative net worth. It gave us each autonomy and control both of which were very important to me.

Keep up the great work and enjoy your holidays!

By: GYM

GYM — Tue, 28 Nov 2017 06:58:01 +0000

I wrote a post recently about how to deal with income inequality in a relationship as well :) definitely makes sense to split 50/50 when you are making equal amounts but when you aren't sometimes resentment kicks in. My husband and I both put in a certain % or our gross incomes into a joint account and then use that joint account for joint spending (and family spending). So far it's been working for us!

By: Leigh

Leigh — Tue, 28 Nov 2017 05:59:07 +0000

These conversations are so hard, but they also add a new level of intimacy and seem to get easier with time. We’ve been spending a lot of time figuring out how and when to combine fully going forward, plus what that will look like. It is so frustrating not being able to contribute my share to the household, so we are working on some new vocabulary too and figuring out how to make things feel like a team effort. Joint accounts for certain things have been a huge help on the team effort front. I hear you on the spousal jealousy - I’m not sure I’ll ever catch up to my husband’s earnings again.