What do you think about the effects of money in a relationship?

I think that they should get a joint account for the money. Money DOES place a huge stress on a relationship when its not use properly. As long as the couple keep enough in a back up account just in case anything goes wrong then the stress is minimal. If they are living paycheck to paycheck then it gets pretty stressful. Its all in how they use it.

I found that your best option is to be open and sharing regarding finances in a relationship. In our household, we pool both our incomes together and choose together how it is spent. I manage the bills, we agree on 'independent spending budgets', and the rest we use on the house, travel or mutual entertainment.

Some marriages enter strife because one party feels he or she needs to 'hide' purchases from another, or have their own checking account from which to draw from. I've found in those relationships, more opportunities for conflict arise. Be open, forthright, and discuss each others spending habits before you share bigger expenses (house, car, child). And better yet, be sure to disclose any negative marks or traits you may possess to your significant other (say, serious debt or perhaps a shoe-fetish! ).

We're living in a time where people, individuals and couples, are carrying more consumer debt than ever before. We are also in a time where the divorce rate, about 50%, is the highest it has ever been. There must be a correlation between these two.

Everyone wants the same things in life. A home, car or two, the vacations, the clothes, the electronics, and the list goes on. Banks and creditors make it easy for us to get these things. Seems almost free at times. But it isn't. People are living beyond their incomes in order to keep up with the Jones'.

I think that it's an issue that too few people talk about before entering a relationship (marriage). What do we want and what are our financial goals? We get so caught up in the "love" part that we forget the practical side of life. This can place strain on the relationship when money problems arise. And they will. Especially at the beginning of a relationship when expenses are at their greatest.

Personally, I like separate accounts, with a common household account. Contributions to the household account is based on a percentage of your income. I.e.: if I make 70% of the total income then I have 70% of the household bills. Anything left over is my money.

Yeah it can cause stress but I thought that when your stressed you turn to each other for support, that's my definition of marriage, to love someone, means you could be living in a tent and it wouldn't matter, as long as the one you love is living in it with you. Everyone says that doesn't attitude doesn't last and eventually you want the money and all the extras but I don't think so, I think it should only cause stress if you can't pay the bills or rent, not if you can't go to a fancy restaurant for dinner.