Quote:
Originally Posted by Frequitude
To the separate accounts and divide expense 50/50 folks, does that mean the one who makes the most gets to discretionarily spend the most?!?
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If you did it like that, then yes...the one who makes more would have more discretionary spending.
But that's not usually how it works. In the case of my wife and I, we both earn roughly the same, but not quite. It works out to about a 60/40 split on income. Of our combined expenses, the mortgage works out to roughly 60%, and the remaining house bills (power/water/etc), internet/tv, food for house) works out to roughly 40%. So I cover the mortgage fully, and she covers the rest of bills. So we end up with roughly the same amount of discretionary spending. We each cover our 'own' expenses (vehicle payment and phone bill). With what's left, that's "ours", to spend as we see fit.
Most folks who keep separate accounts look at the combined %'s for income and outgo, and adjust accordingly. Just splitting expenses 50/50 doesn't make sense unless you both make pretty much the same amount of money.
As someone else noted...it may have to do with previous experiences in past relationships. My first marriage, money was a VERY contentious subject, and we pooled it. My first wife would often get furious with me for spending a buck on a Pepsi at the corner store, but if I pointed out she had spent $10 at Starbucks, well...that was allowed.
Talking money matters out and figuring out how your potential spouse deals with them before becoming a spouse is a huge thing. If you both deal with money in very different manners, there's going to be friction.