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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Don't understand 100% joint finances

320 replies

Lorendo · 12/05/2026 21:45

I know I'll get flamed for this but I don't get it when couples only have joint finances and nothing separate.

Me and DH have a joint account to cover joint expenses (house, cars childcare) etc. We each put same in each month as earn similar.

We also have joint saving pots for certain things where we put certain amount into eg holiday, emergency fund, kids stuff.

That's it. Anything left stays in our separate personal accounts for whatever we please.

This seems like a logical way to do it. All joint obligations are sorted together but we still retain independence with what's left.

A friend of mine only does joint. She only works part time so a different situation to us but husband monitors every penny in and out. If she buys something he doesn't agree with or that she didn't clear with him first, he brings it up.

I told her my arrangement and she just said 'yes well we like to manage all the money together, as a team'. Right ok, sounds more like financial abuse than team work but hey ho

OP posts:
coulditbeme2323 · 13/05/2026 14:46

Thechaseison71 · 13/05/2026 14:45

Yeah gets you a free ride

It's quite incredible how you view a marriage.

MyMilchick · 13/05/2026 14:46

Thechaseison71 · 13/05/2026 14:40

Yeah it was called trying my best to get a household contribution on payday 50/50 and then divorcing him thankfully before his bankruptcy. Luckily as such a short married the divorce put us is same financial position as when we married

Edited

Sounds like he was selfish and financially abusive and I can see why you feel the way you do but you now seem to be projecting that on other relationships where people are genuinely working together (as a marriage should be) to make life better and easier for everyone in that family. Of course there are going to be times where one person is just taking advantage of the other, unfortunately there will always be cases like that but it's not the norm or what most people in here are living with

Twattergy · 13/05/2026 14:48

Seems to me that two sensible, consenting adults that are respectful of each other can make either joint or separate finances work. Either system has faults if one of you is a liar, a gambler, manipulative, greedy or very poor with money management.

MyMilchick · 13/05/2026 14:48

Twattergy · 13/05/2026 14:48

Seems to me that two sensible, consenting adults that are respectful of each other can make either joint or separate finances work. Either system has faults if one of you is a liar, a gambler, manipulative, greedy or very poor with money management.

Exactly

Walker1178 · 13/05/2026 14:50

Were the same as you OP, we earn similiar and both put equally into the joint account to take care of all our essentials.

I know that whatever is left in my personal account is mine to spend as I please. I don’t want to have to work out all the incidentals. DP doesn’t need to know about my Starbucks addiction and I think I’d be annoyed at the amount he spends in the Shell garage at the end of the road because he can’t be bothered to go any further 😂

For us it works perfectly but I get that it’s not for everyone

EmeraldShamrock000 · 13/05/2026 14:51

It really depends on the family’s situation. We are a one pot family as both earnings are needed for the month. If you both have spare money it is easier to have a joint account, it’s a luxury.
My sister has a joint account, completely 50/50 yet she has condensed hours and less earnings due to childcare. I find 50/50 strange.

Whattodo127845 · 13/05/2026 14:54

We have similar set up except I earn nearly a third more than DH. We both pay 50/50 bills. I pay my mortgage (as I own the house) and pay for all holiday's so in a round about way I do pay more.

DH has three other kids he pays for so he is responsible for them. I do not contribute financially towards them.

wldpwr · 13/05/2026 14:55

We have 100 percent joint finances, I don't work at all and I manage all the money. In fact, all the savings are in my name because I pay no tax. So I don't feel I am being financially abused at all. I think we just see ourselves as one unit financially. I look after the kids, he works outside the home, but we're both doing our bit, and anything we leave behind goes to the kids anyway. So I guess we are one financial unit of four. Works for us, anyway.

Cosimarocks · 13/05/2026 15:31

Thechaseison71 · 13/05/2026 14:04

Well yes If they earn more why shouldn't they have more? They are also subsiding the lower earned by paying bigger percentage of bills

You seem to be asking something that I answered in my original post – the post you commented on, but clearly didn’t read – but to answer you again: no. No, I don’t believe that if they earn more then they are entitled to more money in a relationship. And that’s the key word really, ‘relationship’. Partnership. Unit. Family.

Money is not the only thing that someone can contribute to a relationship or any situation when it comes to family. There are things like childcare, looking after the house and generally being part of an entity we call a family or a couple. Love.

Deciding that money is the most important thing – and that is what you do when you highlight the earning power of one of other(s) - creates an unfair dynamic and it also disregards contributions to a unit that are not financial.

And, as I said in my first post (which you didn’t read), I’ve often wondered in these relationships what that person does with their money. Do they go on better holidays? Do they go out more? Have more activities? Better gadgets?Do they wear better clothes? Do they lord it over their poorer partner while the lower earning partner has to struggle by?

It seems bizarre and rather cruel.

I earn considerably more than my partner earns. Indeed, I earn considerably more than some of my friends earn. But my partner and those friends are all better educated than me. I just about got a poor degree while they have masters or PhD‘s; and the work they do is far, far, more beneficial to society and the world than what I do. But they work for charities or in education or the arts or healthcare or mental health, some work in research and some battle climate change and save nature. They do wonderful, inspirational, useful, beneficial things. And, as is usually the case in this world, they get paid bugger all for it. I stumbled into the corporate world and make far more than they do. I do nothing beneficial for society and, frankly, my job isn’t hugely demanding or hard. You don’t need to have worked hard at school or university, and you don’t need to be caring or particularly clever. But, because the outcome of what I do is money (profit for the company), I get paid reasonably well. Because the outcome of the work my partner and friends do is healthier, happier, better people or nature or whatever, their work haemorrhages money and they get paid awfully. If I was as clever and talented and hard working as them, I would change careers immediately. My job satisfaction is limited, but at least I get paid ok. And in being paid ok it means that my partner doesn’t need to earn as well. Because we are a couple, a family, a unit, and so we have shared aims and we support each other. And, beyond any financial contribution, my partner puts an awful lot into our family that is worth far more than money.

Yet, people, like you, think that I should reward myself and punish my partner by keeping my hard earned dough?! How small minded and mean.

Again, I ask what do these higher earners do with the money they keep? My investment, my joy, is my family. And so of course we pool our resources.

Thechaseison71 · 13/05/2026 15:39

Cosimarocks · 13/05/2026 15:31

You seem to be asking something that I answered in my original post – the post you commented on, but clearly didn’t read – but to answer you again: no. No, I don’t believe that if they earn more then they are entitled to more money in a relationship. And that’s the key word really, ‘relationship’. Partnership. Unit. Family.

Money is not the only thing that someone can contribute to a relationship or any situation when it comes to family. There are things like childcare, looking after the house and generally being part of an entity we call a family or a couple. Love.

Deciding that money is the most important thing – and that is what you do when you highlight the earning power of one of other(s) - creates an unfair dynamic and it also disregards contributions to a unit that are not financial.

And, as I said in my first post (which you didn’t read), I’ve often wondered in these relationships what that person does with their money. Do they go on better holidays? Do they go out more? Have more activities? Better gadgets?Do they wear better clothes? Do they lord it over their poorer partner while the lower earning partner has to struggle by?

It seems bizarre and rather cruel.

I earn considerably more than my partner earns. Indeed, I earn considerably more than some of my friends earn. But my partner and those friends are all better educated than me. I just about got a poor degree while they have masters or PhD‘s; and the work they do is far, far, more beneficial to society and the world than what I do. But they work for charities or in education or the arts or healthcare or mental health, some work in research and some battle climate change and save nature. They do wonderful, inspirational, useful, beneficial things. And, as is usually the case in this world, they get paid bugger all for it. I stumbled into the corporate world and make far more than they do. I do nothing beneficial for society and, frankly, my job isn’t hugely demanding or hard. You don’t need to have worked hard at school or university, and you don’t need to be caring or particularly clever. But, because the outcome of what I do is money (profit for the company), I get paid reasonably well. Because the outcome of the work my partner and friends do is healthier, happier, better people or nature or whatever, their work haemorrhages money and they get paid awfully. If I was as clever and talented and hard working as them, I would change careers immediately. My job satisfaction is limited, but at least I get paid ok. And in being paid ok it means that my partner doesn’t need to earn as well. Because we are a couple, a family, a unit, and so we have shared aims and we support each other. And, beyond any financial contribution, my partner puts an awful lot into our family that is worth far more than money.

Yet, people, like you, think that I should reward myself and punish my partner by keeping my hard earned dough?! How small minded and mean.

Again, I ask what do these higher earners do with the money they keep? My investment, my joy, is my family. And so of course we pool our resources.

But what when the lower earning one is NOT contributing more " in other ways"

Cosimarocks · 13/05/2026 15:40

Thechaseison71 · 13/05/2026 15:39

But what when the lower earning one is NOT contributing more " in other ways"

Well then you have issues in a relationship that go far beyond money.

Thechaseison71 · 13/05/2026 15:43

Cosimarocks · 13/05/2026 15:40

Well then you have issues in a relationship that go far beyond money.

Well yes. Id have no respect for any partner who would not pull their weight ( whether by money or doing other stuff) and expect me to bankroll it

TheRealMagic · 13/05/2026 15:48

Rounder888 · 13/05/2026 14:19

As someone else mentioned, we both have a standing order that comes out the day we both get paid. Husband’s is weekly, so he knows exactly what he has left to spend for the week. Mines monthly, so I then budget the remaining for the next four weeks. Can’t even begin to think how confused he would be if I then said oh no, you can’t spend this, as that’s actually my week three and four money 😂 he finds our finance confusing enough as it is, so this works best for us

If it works best for you then great! For us one standing amount wouldn't work, as so many necessary and shared outgoings (food shopping, stuff for the kids, petrol, things like the dentist or vet bills that isn't every month) aren't the same every month. And the whole point is we don't have the issue of whether there is enough of mine or his money left for the rest of the month (we don't have the same payday) - the question is whether or not there is enough money in the account, not where it came from. If I'm trying to work out if we can afford something I'm thinking about when someone will next get paid, not when I will.

budgiegirl · 13/05/2026 16:18

Yes maybe when one partner isn't working although don't understand why people do that. I've always wanted my financial independence

It sounds like it works for you because you have fairly equal incomes, and therefore fairly equal disposable income. Would you feel the same if your DH earned twice as much as you, and had more disposable income for himself. What about if you did, would you think it fair that you could afford a fancy car, but your DH had to make do with a bicycle?

What about families where one parent (usually, but not always, the mum) goes part time or gives up work to be around more for the kids? What if one or more of the kids is disabled, or you want to home school. Is it fair not to have joint money then? Or if one of you is made redundant, becomes ill or disabled, has a breakdown, or wants to retrain for a new career? What about if there just isn't enough money to have anything left each month without paying everything in to pay bills. Is separate finances fair then? Would you pool all your money to support your other half then? Isn't that, at least in part, what marriage is about?

I understand that there are a few circumstances where joint finances may not work, such as addictions (shopping, drinking, gambling), where one half may have to take control of the money. But for most, joint finances are a part of marriage, as long as you are a similar page regarding spending. If you are not, then the marriage will struggle anyway. Your friend is being financially abused, and you are judging her for it!

coulditbeme2323 · 13/05/2026 16:24

When we go away for half term at the end of the month perhaps my husband should be the only one sitting in business class - and maybe throw a few peanuts to me and the kids sitting in economy.

After all we haven't "earned" the right to turn left.

budgiegirl · 13/05/2026 16:25

But what when the lower earning one is NOT contributing more " in other ways

As long as they are putting in roughly equal hours, then it's fine (work, kids, home etc). If both people in a partnership work full time, but one earns more than the other, then both people need to put in equal time at home as well. But if one is part-time, then they should put in more effort at home. Money shouldn't really come into it - time and effort should.

However, if one partner is not pulling their weight in effort, then there's a bigger problem than earnings in the marriage.

latetothefisting · 13/05/2026 16:30

Just because it doesn't work (or doesn't seem to work to you, your friend herself seems perfectly happy with it), doesn't mean it's wrong for everybody.

You could equally argue that separate finances is abuse as if one party doesn't earn for a period (lose their job, maternity), they will have absolutely no money coming in, so no way of spending anything on themselves. Similarly some could argue its abusive for one partner earning £200k and the other £20k to be both expected to pay into the "joint" pot and then have widely different amounts left over for treats.

Finances are personal, I cant get worked up about whatever everyone else does with theirs.

Boomer55 · 13/05/2026 16:34

I had 100% joint finances with my late husband. It worked just fine.

Dontcallmescarface · 13/05/2026 16:44

Me and ExH had 1 joint account ( I was the higher earner btw), never, ever making that mistake again. Me and DP have a joint account for household bills, and household bills only. He has his account, I have mine and any "big ticket" item is paid for 50/50. He pays his own car expenses, phone etc as do I.

SpaceAngel1999 · 13/05/2026 16:47

i got together with hubby when I was 18 and him 23. We learnt roughly the same when we met. Fast forward 27 years and I’m a part time nhs worker and him a director. We’ve had joint finances since we bought our first house together 25 years ago. No issues at all. We’re a family unit and all money is family money. Any inherited money has also been family money. We don’t have mine/yours and it works for us

WhereHasMyPlanetGone · 13/05/2026 16:48

Thechaseison71 · 13/05/2026 15:39

But what when the lower earning one is NOT contributing more " in other ways"

Well yes, in that exact niche scenario that you describe, where one party earns significantly more than the other and works more hours, there are no shared children and the lower earner also doesn’t pull their weight at home, then yes, the higher earner shouldn’t be expected to bankroll the other. Unless they want to, of course.

maudelovesharold · 13/05/2026 16:58

Dh and I have had joint finances for over 30 years. I was a SAHM till the last dc started school, which was more common back in the mid 90s/early 00s, and I only ever worked p/t after that, so not earning loads, but saving us money in childcare/after-school/holiday clubs etc., I suppose. Would have been difficult, as wrap around school care wasn’t really a big thing in my child-rearing days. We’ve both had various inheritances which have gone into the joint pot. Never had an argument about what either of us spends money on. Wasn’t ever an issue. Obviously discuss if either of us wants to make a big purchase, but if the money’s there we do it without having the complex ring-fencing of monies which seems to be the norm now, including for my dc with mortgages, deposits etc. None of them are married to their partners, though, so I suppose that makes a difference.to how couples organise their finances, and once in the habit of having separate money, it’s easier to stick with that, maybe?

Moii · 13/05/2026 18:15

You become one, share everything unless you don't fully trust each other.

MissMaryBennet · 13/05/2026 18:35

I don't really understand the 'mine to do with whatever I please' aspect you are talking about being a benefit of separate finances. Assuming you are happily married, what long term stuff would you want to do that you might need separate money for?

Because either there is money left over at the end of both of your spending, or there isn't. If you both earn and spend about the same over any given period of time, then it makes no difference as to whether you do it the 'joint' way or the 'separate' way.

If one earns more, then in the 'separate' way, the one that earns more has more money to spend if they want to. And if they do want to, and everyone is fine with that, OK. But if they don't need/want to spend more - do they really consider the savings they make 'theirs' as opposed to 'ours'? And if so, for what?

If you earn the same but one spends more, then the separate way, again, one has more money to save. Is the point that, over time, you aim to spend the same, but one prefers to save up for big things and the other doesn't?

RufustheFactualReindeer · 13/05/2026 19:09

i work part-time and dh earns over 10 times as much as me

his money is used by us both and my money is mine

we’ve always had a joint bank account, back when we started out on about the same wage through children when i stayed at home up to me working part time

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