Checking Accounts: Joint or Seperate?

So,

G/f and I are discussing this topic. She seems to think Joint is the way to go, I think seperate is the way.

Who does which way, and why?

 

Separate until you are engaged or married.

Even then, a joint for all your combined bills (rent/mortgage, phone, cable, etc) then separate for spending money. This way she can spend her money how she wants and you can do the same.

 

separate! My girlfriend and i have never had a fight about money because of this! 13 yrs strong!
We DO have a joint account for house bills and improvements only. Separate for our spending money. Thank God i would never be able to do mods if we had a joint account for everything!

 

My wife and I have tried both. The first month that we overdrew our account by both getting gas the day before payday..I laughed. The second month when we did the same thing- I reset everything and we have seperate accounts now.

We set up an excel spreadsheet- Got all the income and expenses budgeted out. And then we took the expenses and divided it down the middle. I pay the car note, most of the investments, and the "day to day." Wife pays the mortgage and utilities. And that leaves us with X amount of dollar in each account to do with what we please.

 

If your not married or at least engaged I wouldnt get a joint account. No dis-respect but you never know if she might act a fool and get into so credit trouble and drag you into it. If everything is good-to-go when its time to get married then go for the joint.

 

Separate until you are married.

 

My GF and I still have separate bank accounts and we own a house together and cars. We keep everything in my name or her name split up. Until you get married it should stay that way.

 

my wife and i have a joint account that we pay bills out of, but we each also have our own personal accounts that we use for whatever.

 

As a happily divorced man my best suggestion to you is keeping bank accounts separate. I would, however, recommend using the same back for free transfers between the two of you. My roommate and I do this - works out great for rent and sports betting!

 

Yes your wife, OP is questioning him and his girl friend.

 

X100000

 

Separate until you get married. Much easier that way.

 

Separate.

 

This is what I was trying to convey to her. She seems to think there's soem sort of conspiracy theory going on if she can't see what all I'm spending money on.

I think shes over reacting about it, but that's just my opinion. Almost everyone I"ve talked to thinks this is the best way to go about it, and I tend to agree.

Just have to convince her of that

 

You dont have to convince her its your money. Until your married then your money is hers.

 

If she was my girlfriend and acted this way I'd leave her. No offense but you shouldn't have to have a joint account so she feels better.

x10000

 

Unless your married,keep your own account. Also depends if one is a huge spender and one is frugal.I knew my wife pretty good for 7 years before we stated dating. We were engaged after 14 months and shortly combined accounts.she was already doing my bills for me. Just hide your own money.I don't do it but all my friends keep a stash

 

Separate 'til married. Then 90% in joint to cover everything and split the rest for fun monies.

 

You did say girlfriend.

You aren't married, so neither of you are entitled to any of the others' money. Period.

And by the way, I'd be concerned if she wants that much control over her BF's finances, as well as if she wanted to keep tabs on what you spend money on. Sounds like she could be controlling and/or have trust issues, man...

 

My friend cashes his paycheck and gives the wife the 40 hours and any overtime is his money that she doesn't need to know about