https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 15 Apr 2026 10:58:10 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/finances-do-you-have-a-joint-account/page/2#post-46954 Thu, 05 Jan 2012 10:13:47 +0000 shinystraps 46954@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We merged accounts before we got married - my husband is an accountant and we weren't living in the same town, so keeping track of apartments and bills and wedding stuff - it just made more sense to have one account. He pays all the bills but we make financial goals together. </p> <p>We've never had any "you're spending too much money" issues. We do each have a credit card of our own, which we don't use except for emergencies or when we don't want the other to see what we got them for bday/Christmas. I'm very independent but it works really well for us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/finances-do-you-have-a-joint-account/page/2#post-46916 Thu, 05 Jan 2012 09:28:43 +0000 SouthPaw 46916@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have joint everything. I think trying to balance our finances, split up meals going out etc was just annoying and too much work for us. We have discussed financial responsibility with each other and we have freedom to purchase whatever we want. If there is a large purchase we will discuss, we have a detailed budget and it works great for us! There are no separate accounts, and around the holidays and birthdays we promise to not look at the credit card statement so there is still some element of surprise!! </p> <p>Every couple devises their own method that works!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/finances-do-you-have-a-joint-account/page/2#post-46848 Thu, 05 Jan 2012 04:14:40 +0000 SugarplumsMom 46848@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm not sure if it's even possible to have a joint account here in Sweden! Well it is possible but everything is basically linked to your SSN and when you get payments for when you have a baby (for example), a mother needs her own account for "mama money". </p> <p>DH and I have separate accounts within the same bank as our mortgage loan, and both accounts are linked for mortgage payments, although not shared. It's a little weird but less complicated than it sounds.</p> <p>I also have a US bank account that I keep for student loan payments and for the sake of simplicity, it's where my payments are sent to (I teach online). </p> <p>Now that we're having a LO, I'd really feel more comfortable with a joint account ... just in case. It's one of those things I need to put on my To Do List. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/finances-do-you-have-a-joint-account/page/2#post-46476 Wed, 04 Jan 2012 17:36:33 +0000 birdofafeather 46476@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have joint accounts for everything. DH still has his old accounts open bc it's a credit union that has great mortgage rates and we would want to use them when we buy a house in the future! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/finances-do-you-have-a-joint-account/page/2#post-46386 Wed, 04 Jan 2012 15:37:36 +0000 Rescuemom10 46386@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We joined our accounst when we were engaged. I still have one account I dont use that is just under my name with just a little $$ sitting in it to keep it open. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/finances-do-you-have-a-joint-account#post-46381 Wed, 04 Jan 2012 15:35:25 +0000 katdevargas 46381@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>we have joint everything. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/finances-do-you-have-a-joint-account#post-46351 Wed, 04 Jan 2012 15:13:02 +0000 DillonLion 46351@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We each have our own checking account and savings account. Then we have a joint checking account (mortgage, water, electricity) and a joint savings account (emergency fund). </p> <p>We also have a joint money market account for long term savings. </p> <p>This is the system we've had since we moved in together, and we have no plans to change it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/finances-do-you-have-a-joint-account#post-46350 Wed, 04 Jan 2012 15:11:34 +0000 Adira 46350@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have both joint accounts and separate accounts, because that's what works for us. The joint account is for all the bills plus any joint fun stuff, like going out to dinner, going on a vacation. We each put in a percentage of our wages into the joint account, and the rest goes into our separate accounts. When we had an apartment, that percentage was 30%. Once we bought our house, we bumped it up to 70%. I'm betting when we have kids, it'll go up even more.</p> <p>It works out really well for us because currently our joint account is accumulating money, which excites us, because we can now afford to go on a nice trip together. And then our separate accounts do whatever. My husband is a saver, so his separate account has lots of money in it. I'm a spender, so mine doesn't. But this way he can't be upset that I'm spending a ton of money because it's MY money. And I don't have to beg him when I want to spend. It gets rid of money arguments. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/finances-do-you-have-a-joint-account#post-46309 Wed, 04 Jan 2012 14:49:16 +0000 mrsjyw 46309@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have one joint CC (our gas card) and a joint checking account (house bills). We also share two savings accounts (one short-term and one long-term. We both maintain our individual checking accounts. While we both have full knowledge of our liquid income, we've retained our independence and autonomy as our individual checking accounts are still separate. It works well for us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/finances-do-you-have-a-joint-account#post-44885 Mon, 02 Jan 2012 09:53:35 +0000 mrswin 44885@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My DH and I opened a join checkings and savings account when we were engaged and moved in together. We both have our seperate accounts as well but the joint checking account is for all of our living expenses and the money we got for the wedding is in the savings account.</p> <p>We are in the process right now of changing things up so that we both have our paychecks deposited into the joint account, then I will transfer money to each of our personal accounts and the savings plans we have. I manage all the finances in our house like @winniebee because DH has no interest at ALL! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/finances-do-you-have-a-joint-account#post-44875 Mon, 02 Jan 2012 09:27:47 +0000 winniebee 44875@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have joint everything (checking, savings, credit cards) basically for the reasons Chopsuey mentioned. We combined everything when we bought our condo a few months before we got married. I have been the primary breadwinner since we combined finances about 3 years ago - while DH finishes his medical residency - and in another 2.5 years he will make more money than me. It has worked so far. We view all of our money as "ours" and there's no feeling of inequity yet. </p> <p>I am in charge of paying bills, tracking savings, etc. DH wanted no part of it and doesn't have time for it, and I wanted to do it. I don't know if our system would work if he were in charge though (I am a control freak).</p> <p>I still have a few separate credit cards (e.g., my Ann Taylor and Macy's cards) but DH wants no part of those! Also I have retirement savings and mutual funds that are in my name. </p> <p>I had concerns about us getting annoyed with one another over finances but it hasn't happened yet. I spend way more on a monthly basis on clothing and personal stuff (haircuts, etc) but DH likes bigger ticket items (fishing gear, skiing gear, Xbox stuff). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/finances-do-you-have-a-joint-account#post-44869 Mon, 02 Jan 2012 09:15:16 +0000 yin 44869@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My husband and I opened a joint account before we were married. We purchased a home together, and that seemed like the perfect time to merge our finances. We do have separate personal accounts, but it's more of a safety net of money in case of emergencies.</p> <p>I do know of quite a few couples who maintain separate accounts, and it works very well for them. My sister had a system where she paid for groceries and household items, and her husband would pay for home improvement projects. They recently added a new addition to the family, and I wonder if they still keep the same system. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/finances-do-you-have-a-joint-account#post-44844 Mon, 02 Jan 2012 02:02:30 +0000 DisneyBee 44844@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes, DH and I got joint accounts when we got engaged and moved in together. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/finances-do-you-have-a-joint-account#post-44109 Fri, 30 Dec 2011 12:54:40 +0000 Mrs. Sunglasses 44109@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yes we do. We both have checkings but a joint as well. Once we got married it pretty much got combined. Once we get rid of all our debt then we will have and amount we can splurge on. (which we don't have at the moment) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/finances-do-you-have-a-joint-account#post-44064 Fri, 30 Dec 2011 11:51:25 +0000 daniellemybelle 44064@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>As soon as we got married, we pooled all our money. Our joint account used to be DH's account. I still have my old account but I don't really use it. We have individual credit cards but we pay them from our joint money. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/finances-do-you-have-a-joint-account#post-44015 Fri, 30 Dec 2011 10:56:21 +0000 yoursilverlining 44015@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have joint credit cards (1 card, the rest are separate and our own) and 1 joint account for paying the mortgage and house related expenses. Everything else is separate. We figured, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Were also both very independent, and want access to our own money. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/finances-do-you-have-a-joint-account#post-43961 Fri, 30 Dec 2011 08:30:07 +0000 rawrasaur 43961@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We put all of our accounts together when we got married. I really feel that was the only option for us, there is no line drawn about whose money is whose. We still have a variety of accounts for different purposes, but its all ours. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/finances-do-you-have-a-joint-account#post-43947 Fri, 30 Dec 2011 08:05:22 +0000 hilsy85 43947@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Joint everything...I almost never feel guilty about buying anything for myself--and if I do, then that probably means that I shouldn't be spending the money on it, regardless of whether it's "mine" or "ours"! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/finances-do-you-have-a-joint-account#post-43673 Thu, 29 Dec 2011 15:52:56 +0000 Rock n Roll 43673@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have our own accounts and a joint savings and checking as well. We each get our checks direct deposited into our personal accounts and transfer a set amount that I budgeted based on percentages of total income into the joint checking account. All bills, rent, groceries, and gas come out of the joint account, and whatever is left in our personal account is ours for savings or fun.</p> <p>It's not about being secretive about what we spend, more about maintaining our independence and getting to enjoy the fruits of our labor. I personally have no problem telling my husband I blew $250 at Sephora, and he doesn't care that I did because it was my own disposable income.</p> <p>Plus, it's just easier to balance the checkbook and make sure we don't have any surprise charges coming through that would overdraw the account if we have things separate. But that's what works for us! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/finances-do-you-have-a-joint-account#post-43669 Thu, 29 Dec 2011 15:51:19 +0000 Rubies 43669@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We created a joint account but still have our individual accounts, too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/finances-do-you-have-a-joint-account#post-43659 Thu, 29 Dec 2011 15:41:47 +0000 Mrs. Pickle 43659@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have joint accounts. We combined our accounts when we moved in together two years before we got married. We use an excel spreadsheet to budget and track our individual money that way. For us I feel like joint accounts are a part of marriage. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/finances-do-you-have-a-joint-account#post-43444 Thu, 29 Dec 2011 13:00:18 +0000 ktgee04 43444@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We decided early on, that after we were married all our finances would be combined. I actually really prefer it this way now although I was scared at first b/c I'm very independent and would seriously flip if someone told me how to spend the $$ I work hard for. Thankfully it's worked out great and we are really respectful of each other and the things we choose to buy. We still have a separate cc in each our names that is not visible to the other so we have some flexibility. It's also made me more conscience of what I spend money on b/c I love watching our joint account grow </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/finances-do-you-have-a-joint-account#post-43434 Thu, 29 Dec 2011 12:52:31 +0000 twinmama 43434@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When we got married, we added each other as joints to our individual accounts, but kept all the accounts. We considered it all 'our' money, but it was still kind of separate. We got married right around all the big financial collapse business, so we liked the idea of having money kind of spread out. And honestly, he brought more cash and assests into the marriage, so I didn't have as much to lose in that sense.</p> <p>Now, after being married 3+ years and pregnant, we are finally going through the process of closing out our extraneous accounts and consolidating into one completely joint account that all of our money will go in and out of. Since I won't be getting a paycheck after the babies arrive, it just makes more sense to us. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/finances-do-you-have-a-joint-account#post-43400 Thu, 29 Dec 2011 12:32:11 +0000 Meltini 43400@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We each have our own checking and savings acccounts but we also have a joint checking and a joint savings. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/finances-do-you-have-a-joint-account#post-43381 Thu, 29 Dec 2011 12:24:41 +0000 Sunshine1810 43381@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We opened a joint account when we were engaged and living together. It is much easier for us to manage our finances and bills that way. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/finances-do-you-have-a-joint-account#post-43375 Thu, 29 Dec 2011 12:21:39 +0000 Rosie Girl 43375@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have had a joint account since before we were married! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/finances-do-you-have-a-joint-account#post-43322 Thu, 29 Dec 2011 11:43:42 +0000 Meridian 43322@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We opened our joint credit card immediately after we got engaged (putting all the wedding charges on the card to collect mileage points!!) and then joint checking about 6 months before our wedding. We actually started a joint savings (ING) about 6 months after we started DATING!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/finances-do-you-have-a-joint-account#post-43253 Thu, 29 Dec 2011 10:58:19 +0000 tequiero21 43253@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>i'm with @chopsuey119. although i do know my husband hates it when i know how much he spent on my gift HAHA. that's when he's always like he wants his own account! although now, he uses his amex card to buy me gifts because i don't check that account.</p> <p>my husband's the breadwinner in our family, so i don't particularly feel like i need to have my own account. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/finances-do-you-have-a-joint-account#post-43248 Thu, 29 Dec 2011 10:55:07 +0000 chopsuey 43248@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Clementine: If it works for you then that's all that matters! In the beginning of our marriage I wanted separate accounts but DH really wanted to merge funds so I agreed. It works for us. :P </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/finances-do-you-have-a-joint-account#post-43244 Thu, 29 Dec 2011 10:51:10 +0000 Clementine 43244@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Chopsuey, I think that's sound advice but I just like having my own money. I'm not a big spender, so for me at least, it's not because I want to hide anything. It's more like I've seen women depend on men to be financial secure and I found my inner feminist say, "Well let's keep what we got and manage it ourselves." But with a baby on the way, I'm thinking more and more expenses need to be shared, and I'll most likely keep my own account but also open a joint one. But, it's been nice to hear what people have decided to do concerning their finances and why! </p>