I've got the ring and I am proposing.

[Panthro]

Congrats! Marriage is great! I've been happily married going on 8 years....3 words of advice from me...

Separate

Bank

Accounts

You're welcome :)

and Charleston is a great place to do it

That actually might be the worst advice

[CRA]

We could start a thread a about joint or separate accounts. I think few young couples can successfully do separate accounts.

[Mrs Pantherfan]

That actually might be the worst advice

how so? Obviously it works perfect for us..It may not work for everyone..but to keep some money separate is smart

I take care of bills..I let him know what I need..he transfers money to me..and I transfer money to him sometimes...I like to know how much money I'm working with..one debit card is all that's associated with my account..no one else spends on it..I know exactly what I have at all times..why is that bad?

oh wait..you're not married..what the hell do you know...come back to me after a few years

you know what bruce...I take back any advice I obviously don't know what I'm talking about, I am only just a woman...good luck and god speed.

[CarolinaNCSU]

Awesome news and congrats man! I'm a tad too young to give marriage advice, but I will share something I've learned over my short years. You can either be right, or you can be happy. Remember it.

[Panthro]

how so? Obviously it works perfect for us..It may not work for everyone..but to keep some money separate is smart

I take care of bills..I let him know what I need..he transfers money to me..and I transfer money to him sometimes...I like to know how much money I'm working with..one debit card is all that's associated with my account..no one else spends on it..I know exactly what I have at all times..why is that bad?

oh wait..you're not married..what the hell do you know...come back to me after a few years

you know what bruce...I take back any advice I obviously don't know what I'm talking about, I am only just a woman...good luck and god speed.

you are the exception and not the standard then...everyone that I've talked to about this has given the opposite advice. I see the ones who keep it separate and its a huge issue. One buddy struggles while she's off buying Kate Spade purses...but she contributes to the bills and lives at a different income level. (Actually know several like this)

[Mrs Pantherfan]

those sound like horrible selfish wives ..sucks to be married to them

[Panthro]

We already combined our bills. We both have a credit card (I keep my limit low) and I have a Amex Charge because I might throw $2-5k in business travel on there a month.

[Guest]

you know what bruce...I take back any advice I obviously don't know what I'm talking about, I am only just a woman...good luck and god speed.

this, folks, is "a tizzy"

:cool:

[Darth Biscuit]

We have combined accounts, she does the finances, I buy whatever I want so does she... works for me.

[Epistaxis]

The key isn't the accounts, but rather finding someone that shares your feelings and attitude on spending.

[Kettle]

I'm in the combined account group. I do wish I had a small one of my own so I could get hookers and blow without her saying, "Hey, what's this withdrawal for?"

Okay not hookers and blow. Gifts and other surprises for her.

[Jase]

we have combined accounts, but will be running a deficit even with meager allowance for groceries and eating out. So nobody's buying things they want in my house. :(

Thanks a lot, daycare.

[Mrs Pantherfan]

ya'll just forget I ever mentioned anything..I'm obviously in the minority and no one understands what I'm talking about

[Kettle]

I see it both ways MPF, but at this point seperate accounts doesn't make sense for us. She's a stay at home mom, and even though she is drawing some unemployment(well timed layoff) she still doesn't draw enough income that she doesn't have to depend on me.

Different situations are good for different people.