Do you ever check your partners bank?

[SoundillusioN]

Dont, whatever you do, try giving them advice on how to manage their money, especially credit/store cards  

They fail to see that witholding £1000 in savings whilst having £1000 outstanding on their credit card (an no other way of repaying it) is a bad idea  

OMG you've met my missus! 

[Seanl]

I dont look at the wifes account cos its none of my business, another reason I dont look is she takes home 4-5k a month more than I do so I dont want to be left in tears.

My god! Why do u own a mk3 when your missus is taking home that much money!!??

[myvr6isarocket]

I dont touch her money, I earn my own

Ive also got a jap import Sti and a 328 coupe

[The Mighty Elvi]

Hmm. This is the downfall of many a relationship.  Money.

Now, if you are just living together (not married) then you have two options.

1. Equality
2. Proportionality

1. Regardless of salary you split all household bills 50/50.  A sound argument seeing as you both live there. However this may breed resentment if one of you is one a far higher wage/salary that the other.  This may lead to "its not fair" arguments, When one of you has very little fun money at the end of the month.

2. On the basis of your annual take home wage/salary you then split the bills into an fair ratio.  This may be the more fair option as you will both be left with fun money, and be seen to be contributing your "fair share".

If you are married/single but jointly paying a mortgage, then other legal (on divorce/separating) considerations need to be considered with the above.  

i.e if a partner is not directly contributing to mortgage payments, their other payments ( food, bills, maintenance etc.. ) will be taken into consideration on the division of assets (the house) when you split up.  Yes, now cohabiting partners have rights to your property on separation. Don't need to be married.

Jonathan.
 

[myvr6isarocket]

We work It
Wife pays the mortgage and the Health insurence
I pay bills-food-car-holidays-nice extras

works well for us and have never argued about money or much else actually..married 6 years

[Jay]

That's sound advice there Jonathan, for those that have other halfs that work

[cняis]

We work It
Wife pays the mortgage and the Health insurence
I pay bills-food-car-holidays-nice extras

works well for us and have never argued about money or much else actually..married 6 years

Other way around for us, but she's in VERY part time employment (i.e. around £400 a month) and I earn... lets just say below national average... and I have to pay ALL bills (inc mortgage) and she only has food to worry about.

[scarr89]

Thats not a bad shout elvi, the proportionality thing. I am going to try it!

[The Mighty Elvi]

Thats not a bad shout elvi, the proportionality thing. I am going to try it!

Its the best way to keep both parties happy.

Regardless of the actual amount being paid out by both of you for bills, you are both paying the same, in proportion to the money you each earn.  No arguments.

[kittie]

No never as it's not my business to! I bloody should though my OH is astonishingly bad with money and completely untrustworthy with it  

I would NEVER have a fully joint bank account with him, my money is MY money, he'd probably go and waste it all on stupid crap he doesn't need nor can afford!

I would consider a joint account for the bills and each pay in X amount, keep rest for ourselves.

Anyway it's all a moot point now he's redundant from end of this month, I'll have to somehow pay for everything including his debts that weren't my choice and that I've already paid off once for him

He's lucky I can be patient and forgiving.

I dont look at the wifes account cos its none of my business, another reason I dont look is she takes home 4-5k a month more than I do so I dont want to be left in tears.

If I earned that much my bloke would be my full time kitchen b!tch and no mistake.