They can trust their spouse with sexual issues, psychological issues, etc., but their spouse would have to pry their debit card from their dead, cold, rigid fingers to make a withdrawal from the ATM.

I will never do anything but a joint account because I am married. We’re in this together, for good or bad, better or worse.

I’ve covered this subject at GRS several times in the past, most notably in Which should you choose: Joint or separate finances?

I view it in two ways. One responder suggested they could not see sharing their finances with someone in that way. You’re married, it really shouldn’t be a huge trusting sacrifice to share money with the person you pledged your life too. Then again we do have a rather cavalier approach to marriage in our society.

That said being willing and actually doing it are two different things. Right now I share an account with my wife because she doesn’t work. I handle all deposits and bills and give her what basically amounts to an allowance. When she goes back I intend to have her set up her own account and contribute half of all monthly expenses and savings to a joint account. She can then feel free to spend or save her remaining money.

While we are on the same page as far as savings goals etc she hasn’t had her “own” money in 4 years. There should be times where she can just go spend money with out having to ask me if we have enough in the bank.

I admit that we haven’t tried separating accounts, and we (my wife and I) haven’t had substantial monies in separate accounts since we’ve been married.