To ask how you split finances if you work part time?

[Iamnottheone]

I have been a SAHM (a joint decision by the way) for the past five years whilst my children were little.

I have now returned to work part time and just wondered how people split the finances with dh/DP with this arrangement?

I only earn about 25%of what DH earns. I was thining that what i earn could be set aside for the extras like holidays, work on the house, etc? We share finances jointly pretty much anyway but don't want it to look like I'm not contributing to the bills, etc fairly. If it makes any difference, we are comfortable on DH'S wage alone, my income is just extra on top of that.

We do what you suggested OP, I pay for family holidays, anything for myself e.g. clothes, gifts, eating out with friends, I also pay for things like DC clubs. DH earns more than 4 times what I earn so he pays for everything else.

It also implies he has spare money and you don't. That wouldn't work for me.

No, WE have spare money, it's just not in a joint account. Sometimes there's an unexpected DC expense or I go a bit too crazy on clothes (for myself) one month, then my account goes into the red. He just transfers me a few hundred to get me going again. All the spare money belongs to both of us, we just never got round to making a joint account. I really don't see the difference.

I think when you are both not big spenders a joint account works. Which we aren't. We just talk about any bigger spends but it''s never been an issue. He earns more than me but I honestly wouldn't care if I earn more. We are a team.

Thindragon unless soft play is your idea of fun then it’s obviously a family expense.

Our money went into one big pot. DH used to earn around 30 times my wage! We paid everything out from one account. It was a bit pointless me adding up my bit and keeping it separate!

We are high spenders! We have rarely argued about who has what though. We have friends who count every penny of who spends what. Two sets of holiday money and theee Bank accounts. One each and one for bills. It’s all so complicated! I like simplicity and spending DH’s earnings!

All our income is joint. We share everything. DH has given me 50% of his company as well. He consults me before spending and I do the same.

I can't fault your high spending BubblesBuudy but I struggle to spend money. I must live a simple life.

Everything in one pot, as it always has been, no matter which of us was working or earned more. Personal spending also comes out of this common pot, with no restrictions. We don't compare or ration our personal spends, but neither of us would spend a large amount on anything without first consulting the other. Every few months we go through our accounts and decide whether we ought to rein in a bit. Not that we're big spenders, anyway.

Dh's current hobby is running. Virtually cost-free. Mine is crafting. He's not going to tell me I can't buy any more tools and materials because he hasn't fancied new running shoes!

All our money has always gone into one account. I honestly can't see how people manage when they pay separate amounts and are responsible for paying for different bits of the household bills. Surely if your a couple then everything is shared? 🤔

I'm on Maternity Leave now, but before that I worked 14 hours a week and earnt approximately a quarter of my DHs salary. We've never had a joint account.

His wages cover the mortgage, bills, petrol for both cars, the food shopping, his car finance and the credit card payments. Mine covers anything needed for the children, days out, my Next account (almost paid off now - whee!) and anything needed for the house. I think we both usually have around £200 left over for anything for ourselves/unexpected purchases/savings.

We never seem to argue over money so I suppose it works for us. Although I'm sure many MNetters will soon be telling me to have the divorce lawyers on standby as every single relationship with seperate finances is almost certainly DOOMED

• Earned, not earnt!

Pooled money - i handle it primarily managing our savings etc. At the moment we earn roughly the same. In the past DH has earnt a bit more.

Earned!

DH pays all household bills and I pay for food, kids clothes etc... I also get the child benefit paid to me for this too

Op what you suggest sounds like it will work for you if you are both happy with it and it feels fair. You can always review in a few months.
Everything shared works if you get together young, have similar attitude to money, both sensible, reasonably generous, communicate and trust one another. Or if you are skint and have nothing to spare.
Some people are silly with money, dishonest or controlling, have wildly different ideas. Circumstances change, be flexible.
We met in our 40s, I had a car and property, he had kids and savings. Similar incomes. Didn't live together for ages. We bought our house (another discussion about who owns what proportion) and opened a joint account for everything household. At first it only covered basics, not my car and shoes, or his kids and beer, but gradually we realised it's all swings and roundabouts and covers most outgoings. Work and incomes have fluctuated, so have contributions to joint money and housework etc. Both of us feel we are getting a fair deal, have some spending money and savings, some control and help each other out. Now having discussion about retirement, wills and inheritance.

regardless of who works what, all money is shared in our house.

All money into one pot, everything split equally.