For the last decade or so, my SO and I have been more or less dividing our expenses, and Venmo/ PayPal-ing the other as needed (rent, etc).
I know a lot of couples use a shared account that they both contribute to via direct deposit. How many of you do this? Any drawbacks or other options I haven’t mentioned?
Never saw a need for accounting between a couple. The couple is a team, pay the bills, live life. Who cares. Just always seemed like per-charge accounting and “keeping track” is an easy fiscal path to tit for tat complaints/annoyance/arguments. Might as well map how much electricity each person uses at that point, who flushes the toilet the most, etc.
Each should have private charge and checking accounts if for nothing else than gift buying. Have a joint account for most of the money, especially important if one or the other becomes ill or dies. Otherwise survivor access becomes tricky instantly.
Not poo-pooing the methods of others, the more complex methods just seem like overhead, but if they work, they work.
Yup, that’s how we do it. General setup is $X/month goes to each of our private checking accounts for personal use. We discuss any non-regular purchases over $50, unless we make it from our personal accounts.
That’s it. Transparency is a really valuable thing in a committed relationship.