Joint Account

jamief · 9 Mar 2009 at 11:32

Do you and your girlfriend/wife/other have a joint account?

If not, why not?

I find it quite surprising that some married couples still maintain separate accounts.

jamief · 9 Mar 2009 at 11:38

kaiowas said:
Not married but been together nearly 5 years and have a mortgage together. We still have seperate accounts, never felt the need to get a joint one.

I find that strange - who pays the bills? You share a home, bills, etc etc, why not share an account?

I've been with my fiancee for 6 years, we've had a joint account for 3 (getting married in ~2 weeks), and I just can't imagine not sharing an account. It works very well - we're both sensible with money however, maybe if one or both was less sensible a single account each would be better....

jamief · 9 Mar 2009 at 11:41

KaHn said:
Because what I earn is none of anyone elses business and that even if I did agree to have a joint account I wouldn't have all my wages go into it.

KaHn

To me, that is truly bizarre. I presume you aren't married?

jamief · 9 Mar 2009 at 11:44

KaHn said:
Nope never plan on it either.

KaHn

Each to their own I guess!

jamief · 9 Mar 2009 at 13:39

[DOD]Asprilla;13645632 said:
I don't see what is bizarre about it. A joint account is convenient for most people, but it's not mandatory.

My "bizarre" quote was directed at Kahn saying he what he earned was nobodys business but his own. I thought it was bizarre to have that viewpoint, but it was somewhat explained by him saying he'd never get married.

jamief · 9 Mar 2009 at 14:40

Skyfall said:
Why?

It seems odd that people live together, share their lives, bills, children etc, but they keep their "own" money separately, especially when married. Surely being married implies trust, respect and sharing - I can't imagine saying to my wife that I'm off to buy something with "my money". We are fairly comfortable financially, and earn a similar salary, but it has been the case since she was a student and I was working.

I don't feel that I am missing out on anything - if it something small (an xbox game or similar) I just buy it - something bigger (laptop for example) we talk about it and save for a month or two. I've outgrown the days of buying stuff on payday etc though, which maybe makes it easier. I don't take the pee with money and neither does she, our spending is based on mutual respect and discussion about it.

And surprises - I have my own credit card (£0 balance) which I use to buy surprises for her!

jamief · 1 Dec 2009 at 14:20

Surely, assuming you and your other half are rational, sensible people who discuss things, the only sensible options is one account, all monies go in, all bills come out, if you want to buy something smallish then buy it, if it is expensive then you discuss it with the other person? I've worked that way for years with my wife and it works perfectly. Assuming of course, you respect each other.

jamief · 1 Dec 2009 at 15:01

britboy4321 said:
With a joint account you both have access to the money. And we have no 'justify your expenses and I'll be judge and jury and rule on it and whether I give you the amount you need from my personal stash' discussions thank you very much!! That'd be aweful! 'I hereby judge you worthy of my charity .. well done'?!?!?! To a life partner?!?!

It's a partnership. A single unit called 'family'. If you don't understand -- you probably never will. Its not me vs her its me AND her. It's hard to explain ..

Agree completely.

I don't take the **** and neither does my wife.

If I want a game or something, I'll buy it. Were I buying 10 games a month, it might be an issue, but I think I'm fairly sensible.

If I wanted to spend £500 on something (and not your typical single-geek type "ooh I must upgrade lolz" type stuff) then we discuss it and unless its something ridiculous, it isn't an issue. The same applies vice-versa, and its worked quite nicely for the past 4 or so years we've shared an account.