Should You Combine Your Finances As a Couple?

[eileenwatt]

It depends on the age of the couple. A young couple in first marriages yes.
Older couples with children from previous relations and investments and real estate should keep finances separate with a prenup too.

[ReelEC]

I agree. I institute a lot of practices to save money. My wife follows for the most part and she is slowly transitioning over. Sometimes she splurges and suggests we go out for dinner. I just tell her no, we can't do xyz now because too much money was spent doing ABC. I am happy at home eating in or taking it easy at home so this practice acts as a feedback system and I don't need to lecture. Spend all you want but that vacation won't be happening. I just drop reminders if I see anything getting out of control. I suggested we see a movie the other day and she told me she would rather save the money and go to this interactive VR experience in a couple weeks. So she is basically mimicking my behavior and we are helping each other.

[Ohrlstpph]

Do combined finances really do *lead to* greater relationship satisfaction, or are they *correlated* ? Very different concepts, each having its own distinct interpretation.

[thepjpantsearner]

❤im a stay at home mom after paying all the bills and automatic savings are done my husband gives me everything thats left and i do all the budgeting and calutaion and saving for all other things "sink funds etc." Even before becoming a mom when i used to work we had our money combined except he paid all the bills and cost of living and i saved everything i made for everything else we wanted

[keithwc]

My wife and I are both members of the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. We have been preparing for marriage our whole lives. We are very happy. Point is, the concept of separating finances is so crazy to us. We can’t conceive of ever having separate finances.

[TopVillain]

Combining finances keeps marriages honest but it really depends on how much each person makes. if each person makes more than enough to split bills then separate should be fine but if both couples have a lower income then you should combine.

[naomidga]

IDK. I've seen ppl get screwed over by the person who has poor/no financial management skills. If you do combine, just do it for the shared living costs.

[ElliePar]

So why didn't you tell Geena and James this? The couple where she makes 10x the amount as him?