Marital Finances

[CaptainHenreh]

So I am looking for marital finance advice from those MMers who have taken the plunge. I have a pretty good feel for how we are going to figure things out but I value any feedback I can get at this point. I know every family is in a different financial situation and what works for one couple wouldn't work for another. I am just curious to hear how you guys handle your finances, especially the couples in which one of the spouses is the primary / only breadwinner. IE is there accountability for what is spent, joint vs. separate accounts, etc.

Here's how The Elseas have been doing it for years now:

My money + Her Money = Joint account. This pays the bills, manages savings, etc etc.

Then, I have an account, and she has an account. We each get a pre-agreed upon allowance from the joint account to those accounts. (these actually come out of the paychecks, but whatevs.) I may spend this money on whatever I wish without spousal consequence. Her, likewise.

If I make money from a non-employment source (NASA, Lottery, Flippin' shit) that money goes into my account.

Joint account purchases must be agreed on by both partners. If i want a new TV that my account can't afford, I need to make a persuasive case that the joint account should pay for it. If I can, great success! If I can't, well, then I better save my allowance for a new gd tv. Which she won't be allowed to watch because she's a meanieface who vetoed the joint account buying it.