household expenses

When I lived with an Ex, we paid 1/2 on all household bills (rent, power, gas, water).


For groceries, it was often 50/50 as well, but sometimes more mine than his, as I seemed to shop and cook more.


Other items, such as our cars, were OUR problems. Personal items were kept separate.

Interesting thread - we have always pooled our money and all expenses came out of the pool. "Working for the common cause" and all that stuff that goes with marriage.


The cut and dry 50/50 seems to disappear when children come along and one of the partners gives up work - and then what happens if one partner makes way more than the other?


It is something that needs to be discussed before getting into a relationship as it can lead to massive problems. I think it would be harder if one isn't married to sort this out due to the 'commitment' issues.


I have a cousin whose husband writes his name on everything he buys (he is a lawyer!!) and writes her name on all her stuff - it is as if he is preempting a divorce by doing such things! I don't know how they work out their money but I would guess it would be very tightly controlled his and hers. She has been wanting to leave him but cannot due to a child being involved and because of his legal training she feels he may just win custody through the courts. Sigh.

Couples=married couples?

Yes Pumpkin - just have to find a kindred spirit!

Since before we were married we opened a joint account and pooled everything, even though my husband earns far more than I do, and always has. What's in the account is "ours", not "his" or "hers", and he has never begrudged the fact that he earns most of it, and I get to spend it on whatever I need. But obviously I don't take advantage of this, like someone else has already said it's all about trust.


Some friends who have "his" and "hers" accounts have asked if I feel guilty about spending "his" money. Why should I, I don't spend it just for the sake of spending money, I don't waste it on unnecessary things that I don't need ... And I do a lot of "jobs" that I don't get paid for, like looking after the kids 24/7 when they were growing up and I was at home all day, and all the stuff that has to be done at home ... cooking, cleaning, etc (we choose not to have a full time helper). So we reckon things are pretty equal. It works for us anyway.

"his, hers and ours bank accounts" - that sums it up for us.


We each 'auto-deposit' xx amount every month in a joint account. the xx amount is usually equal, but at times one or the other contribute more of for an expensive month we both provide a top up.

We also have a joint credit card.


The joint account pays for:

The rent, the mortgage, the bills, the maid, life insurance, health insurance, investments, the credit card bill, etc...

the credit card is used for grocery shopping, holiday spending, household items, dinner out (although sometimes it is nice when hubby treats), gifts for friends and family, etc...


We use our 'own' accounts to buy gifts for each other, and special treats for ourselves. Although, for example, if we both get a massage then it usually comes out of the joint account.


Sometimes I put in more to the joint account, sometimes he does. We figure it works out in the end, and as others implied there are some 'jobs' that are not paid for with money and household contributions happen in many non-monetary ways.