Marriage & Money: to combine finances or not?

MONEY MATTERS: What actually works for you

When it comes to marriage and money, there's one question that consistently sparks debate: should couples combine finances or keep them separate?

Here's what you need to understand: there's no universally "right" approach, but the decision you make has profound implications for both your wealth building and relationship health.

In our marriage, we've chosen fully combined finances – joint checking accounts, joint savings, joint credit cards. Every penny either of us earns goes into the same pot, and all expenses come out of that shared pool. We don't have "his money" or "her money”, it's all "our money."

The transparency this creates is both challenging and healthy. When Emily or I make a big purchase without discussing it first, the other notices that charge immediately. This visibility creates natural accountability that many couples miss with separate finances.

That said, I understand why some couples choose separate accounts. If one person enters marriage with substantially more assets or income, they might hesitate to fully combine. Or if couples have dramatically different spending styles, separate accounts with proportional contributions to joint expenses can reduce friction.

The problem isn't which system you choose; it's failing to have the transparency conversation altogether. When finances are entirely separate with no visibility between partners, you're essentially operating as financial roommates rather than a wealth-building team.

Consider this scenario: you're doing everything right with your money – saving, investing, managing debt – while your spouse is secretly accumulating credit card debt or making risky investments. Without financial transparency, you won't discover this reality until it's created serious damage to your shared financial future.

Stock Tip of the week at the end….

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