[puckedoff]

We do the separate accounts thing and it has never been an issue. We still consider all of the money 'our money', if she or I is running low the other will just send funds to top them up. I think it works because we both earn about the same amount and have the same mindset regarding saving/spending etc.

We don't keep a spreadsheet and do any kind of allocation, one of us pays mortgage and other fixed bills, the other pays the random bills and contributes most of the savings. In the end it all works out, have rarely ever had an argument about money.

Edit: For the last part about asking her father before proposing, I recommend doing it. I did not ask my wife's father for permission, it was not a big deal at the time. But he died shortly after we were married and I have always regretted that I didn't ask him.