Should couples have joint or separate bank accounts?

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Should couples have joint or separate bank accounts?

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  • 59681
    Joint. Relationships are about sharing everything, including money.
    31%
  • 59682
    Separate. It's important for people to remain financially independent no matter their relationship status.
    13%
  • 59683
    Both. Couples should have a joint bank account for joint expenses, but it's important to have separate accounts for personal spending.
    56%

VoteTotal Votes: 268

On Monday, Kate Gosselin told Meredith Vieira that her ex had wiped out their joint bank account which got us thinking about how couples should be treating their finances.

Results with 11 short comments
Total of 268 votes - click on the "Display Comments" bar below to sort comments

30.6%
Joint. Relationships are about sharing everything, including money.
82 votes
13.4%
Separate. It's important for people to remain financially independent no matter their relationship status.
36 votes
56%
Both. Couples should have a joint bank account for joint expenses, but it's important to have separate accounts for personal spending.
150 votes
Display Comments:
Both. Couples should have a joint bank account for joint expenses, but it's important to have separate accounts for personal spending.

just in case

    #1
     - drpaige
     - 3:45 pm EDT on Fri Oct 9, 2009
    Separate. It's important for people to remain financially independent no matter their relationship status.

    When my husband left me for another woman, I was left financially devastated as well as emotionally.

    • 1 vote
    #2
     - kath-1399989
     - 2:15 pm EDT on Sun Oct 11, 2009
    Both. Couples should have a joint bank account for joint expenses, but it's important to have separate accounts for personal spending.

    I think having both is key. As a couple we should be able to handle expenses out of a joint account and also have out own for personal ones

    • 1 vote
    #3
     - alexadavis
     - 2:27 pm EDT on Mon Oct 12, 2009
    Joint. Relationships are about sharing everything, including money.

    If you can't work out your finances together, why would you be able to work out less superficial hurdles together?

      #4
       - Shelly_D
       - 4:30 pm EDT on Mon Oct 12, 2009
      Both. Couples should have a joint bank account for joint expenses, but it's important to have separate accounts for personal spending.

      Having a separate bank account is really handy to have when it is time to buy a b-day or holiday gift for your spouse.

      • 1 vote
      #5
       - Colleen Scott
       - 6:27 pm EDT on Mon Oct 12, 2009
      Both. Couples should have a joint bank account for joint expenses, but it's important to have separate accounts for personal spending.

      It depends on the individual couple. Separate accounts have always worked best for us, but may not for others.

      • 1 vote
      #6
       - Catherine Davis-1401688
       - 6:47 pm EDT on Mon Oct 12, 2009
      Both. Couples should have a joint bank account for joint expenses, but it's important to have separate accounts for personal spending.

      I think it's a personal preference and depends on the couple. It works great great for my husband and I.

        #7
         - LizzieBtv
         - 5:06 am EDT on Tue Oct 13, 2009
        Both. Couples should have a joint bank account for joint expenses, but it's important to have separate accounts for personal spending.

        Both. A joint account for household expenses, and separate accounts for fun money. Joint is especially important for stay at home parents.

          #8
           - Kelly Whalen
           - 8:59 am EDT on Tue Oct 13, 2009
          Both. Couples should have a joint bank account for joint expenses, but it's important to have separate accounts for personal spending.

          We have two joint accounts, mine and hers. Her money is hers. My money is ours. It works great. I make way more.

          • 1 vote
          #9
           - MtnMan14A
           - 12:57 pm EDT on Tue Oct 13, 2009
          Both. Couples should have a joint bank account for joint expenses, but it's important to have separate accounts for personal spending.

          Depends on the couple really, but everyone should have his or her "own" money to use without negotiation.

            #10
             - TLS1
             - 1:18 pm EDT on Tue Oct 13, 2009
            Both. Couples should have a joint bank account for joint expenses, but it's important to have separate accounts for personal spending.

            Is this a real question? Both of course. 1 +1 still equals 2 separate people. I don't care how much in love you are, don't be silly.

              #11
               - Leena
               - 12:15 am EDT on Wed Oct 14, 2009

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              Discuss this post

              Comment author avatargo4itMOM

              Both! I teach my kids, Always have one foot on the ground. When your grounded with one foot, you can get through any thing and survive it........

                Reply#1 - Mon Oct 12, 2009 11:33 AM EDT
                Comment author avatarJustme-517872

                Both for sure. Both should share in the expenses of course and a joint account makes that easier. I have seen too many "discarded" wives who never kept a separate account or nest egg, and were left high and dry when their hubbies ran off with something younger. Some had not even the first clue where to start. After hearing their stories, I will always have a separate account and will always have a rainy day fund put away.

                • 1 vote
                Reply#2 - Mon Oct 12, 2009 4:45 PM EDT
                Comment author avatarLHM-1027089

                Depends on the couple. My sister has been with her husband since high school. 14 years later, they have ever only had joint accts.

                My husband and I married later. We both had careers, I owned a home, etc. We decided to each keep our accts and open a couple joint accts. We have our bimonthly contribution to joint to cover all bills, living expenses, etc. and then we have our contributions to Roths, etc. They have out own play money. It's nice to feel like you are still your own person in a relationship, and this is one little piece of it for us. Plus we can buys Christmas gifts, etc. without spoiling the surprise. :) Works well for us. It's about communication and respect, whichever method you choose.

                • 1 vote
                Reply#3 - Tue Oct 13, 2009 1:25 PM EDT
                Comment author avatarRon-309576

                My wife controls all the money. I get tired of asking for money ,because all I get is "Were Broke",but she'll go out,and by a carton of cigrattes for $50.00! It's just a control issue with a lot of couples.

                  Reply#4 - Tue Oct 13, 2009 1:33 PM EDT
                  Comment author avatarStevie-445471

                  Both would be the best. Joint checking accounts are to risky for either party. Men have been vicitimized as well as women.

                    Reply#5 - Tue Oct 13, 2009 1:56 PM EDT
                    Comment author avatarskipper4851

                    My husband and I have separate accts because he chose to gamble away $50,000 without my knowledge. Now we have separate accts because I work very hard for my $ and can't lose even a dime of it.

                    • 1 vote
                    Reply#6 - Tue Oct 13, 2009 9:08 PM EDT
                    Comment author avatarLeena

                    Why do people assume if you have separate accounts you aren't really connected mentally as a couple? That's such an immature thought process. You're still working your finances out together, but you're also still responsible for your own personal cr*p that he/she doesn't wish to pay for and/or shouldn't have to pay for.

                    I love joint and separate accounts and it has nothing to do with a "safety net" if he leaves and everything to do with we are still TWO adults.

                      Reply#7 - Wed Oct 14, 2009 12:21 AM EDT
                      Comment author avatarRixar13

                      Separate is much safer.

                        Reply#8 - Wed Oct 14, 2009 8:34 AM EDT
                        Comment author avatarmadameclaws

                        My husband is a big spender when it comes to his guitar equipment. I would rather manage our finances separately because I don't want my money to contribute to a hobby that I don't participate in and vice versa.

                        It does not make us any less of a committed couple if we are separate in our finances. We just have different ways to spend our money and don't want to cause problems in our relationship just because of how we choose to spend our money.

                          Reply#9 - Thu Oct 15, 2009 2:19 PM EDT
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