Married Guys: How do you handle your bank accounts?

[Todd Black 88]

I was reading a thread recently where a guy's wife was regulating his "car spending." Some of the responses were, "Why do you tell your wife what you're spending?" etc.

This got me thinking about how to organize bank accounts in a marriage situation. For me there would be a few factors:
-It would be painful for me to know that I was funding my wife's mall shopping. (I can't stand blowing money there).
-The automotive hobby is expensive and maybe my spouse doesn't need to know exactly how expensive.
-There are a number expenses that need to be shared.

I think the ideal situation might be where each partner contributes a set amount to a shared account for mortgage/bills/insurance/savings etc. and then their remaining income is kept in their own account. That way car parts or mall trips or whatever can be bought without scrutiny from the other.

What are your guys' thoughts/experiences?
btw, I am not married, but it could happen relatively soon.

This is exactly what my wife of 7yrs and I do. Its easier for us as we make almost the exact same amount of money per year. If your earnings are drastically different, it won't work very well.

There is a "yours", "mine" and "ours" set up in bank accts in our house.

[ejnight]

40, together for 17 years. She does not work so I give here a set amount for the month. when its gone its gone. I pay all the bills so I buy what I want. If she worked 50/50 would be cool. But I this that ship has sailed.

[e30loverSC]

dang im glad im still single and a freshman in college...

[Danny]

Wait, WHAT.

I'd like more on this.

[2002maniac]

1.Have a shared checking account.
2.make a detailed monthly budget.
3.live within your income.

[Farbin Kaiber]

Married? I thought...

[Stephen]

I'd like more on this.

[1990m3]

married -- our income split is about 60/40 in my favor. We both pay bills, but I'm the one that watches the budget. Started with two accounts and shared payments, truthfully -- ever since we combined bank accounts at the beginning of '10 we have been able to save way more money.

Married 18 months

I buy whatever I want for cars within reason :) and dont talk much about it either

[ShowStopper]

have been married little over a week. but been with her for 5 yrs now. she pretty much pays all the bills. i get everything else like gas, food, daycare, etc. we both have different accounts but are connected for both of us to use. if i need money she gives it to me if she wants clothes i take her to go get them. if she cant pay a bill she will tell me and i will pay it. i use to just give her my check bc her last job suxed and she paid everything and i get what i need and theres always money extra.

[DEV0 E30]

Married? I thought...

Ditto.

You didn't get the table's good graces young man.

[VacMan]

Married with 3 and 1 year old girls.

I am the main breadwinner and make enough that neither of us worries too much about money. She's a nurse, works 2 days a week and brings home enough that she can do whatever she want without touching the bank account. As for funding car stuff, I take my expense reimbursements and car allowance from work and put them into a separate savings account for later access; that way I can make major purchases without it triggering a balance drop on our main account.

[naplesE30]

Married joint accounts all spending is open for both to look at. Its not about who gets to spend more. I have a student loan she does not. She has a car payment I do not. I could care less if she spends more on shopping then I do on my car in any given month. We both understand our budget and are respectfull of each other. We both keep the other informed of any purchases we make so no surprises come up, or it doesnt seem like one is spying on the other when they look at the bank account. She pays the bills and we have a certain amount for spending each month,,, we put cash into envelops each month for expenses like groceries, entertainmnet, home projects, etc... It works really well, and helps with savings. We try to only use our debit cards for gas.

[rwh11385]

She spends her money, I spend my money and we split the bills 50/50%. Separate accounts. We've been doing this for 7 years..

I'm not even married yet but talked to my girl about this early on that this is the way to roll. No one is allowed to question the other's spending because she likes shoes and nice furniture and I like car stuff.