Should married couples split the bills 50/50?

Question

The reason I asked this question is because, I was having a conversation about this with colleagues and one of the guys said, "If you're married and splitting bills you have a roommate not a husband or wife."

Some felt it should go by who had the higher income. Others felt 50/50 was alright.

I personally wouldn't mind going 50/50 on bills with my future husband.

edibor · Accepted Answer

Doesn't necessarily need to be 50/50, and bank accounts don't need to be joined. We have separate accounts because he's an impulse spender and I'm an avid saver, and I run a business and so have to pay taxes straight out of my bank account. That means if we shared an account, the money he thought was available to spend might be going to taxes, etc. We function best when we have separate accounts. I budget, and we put money toward things together. We pay for cars and any personal debt separately. I make a bit less than him, so I pay a bit less, allocated toward what I use. Since I run a business out of my home, I pay for internet. Since I'm always cold and run the thermostat at 77, I pay for heat. Since he has the expensive iPhone, he pays for phone. That sort of thing. We come up with savings goals together and he tells me how much he wants to put toward it monthly (percent or amount) and then I transfer that for him. I might be saving for other things; he prefers to pay for vacations while I pay for "boring" things like furniture. So he might be socking his $500 extra a month toward a vacation, and I'm putting $500 a month toward furniture. But if I decide I want to go on a vacation, we definitely switch up and he'll start funding furniture so I can save for vacation, etc. It's all about cooperation and regular communication. You're a team. Works like a charm!

Prettygurl12 · Accepted Answer

A few of the guys at my work are married. I asked them this question.

One has only one account in his marriage. All the money from both paychecks go in there and all the money for the bills comes out.

One has three accounts. Each spouse has a checking account and then they have an account they pay bills from. Their bills are split between them in accordance to which spouse makes more. They each pay the same number of bills, but because his wife's income is higher, the bills she pays are the more expensive ones. He said the percentage of their incomes spent on bills is the same, but the numerical value is different.

It's whichever way works for you, honestly.

btbc92 · Accepted Answer

That is by choice. Not whether or not if it's a yes or no. Whoever can be responsible for the bills should just do it if it's mutually agreed upon. But what matters is that both couples have to contribute to something when they want something. Bills are important. But not every married couple can do 50/50. It's however way they want to do it and is beneficial for the couple. But when there is overspending and financial problems, they issue stems with whether or not the couple knows what they are doing financially.

RaeSheBae · Accepted Answer

I don't think bills should be split. I think the could should both invest and help each other.
Example just pay the car and I will pay the house.
I will buy groceries and you can buy other home supplies.
I decorate the sitting room and you can decorate the room.
Or while one is paying bill the other is saving for the vacation...

AynonOMouse · Accepted Answer

Mostly yes, but it depends. If one person wants an air conditioner instead of a water cooler and the electric bill is $500 per month, then they should pay $450 of that themselves.
Same goes for phone bills. If one doesn't care much for phones and has a $10 per month flip phone, they shouldn't be splitting the bill with the other person that has a $90 per month smart phone bill.
Also, each person should pay for their own car payment and insurance. I wouldn't want to pay for someone's $45,000 SUV when I saved up enough cash to buy my car outright and don't have payments.

As far as the money, I figure once the bills are payed, each person gets to keep the rest of their income as spending money for whatever they want, but things that would require monthly payments should be discussed by both partners first.

pogicraft · Accepted Answer

It used to be they just deposited and used the same account. But really its about communication. I mean as long as you're together, its the same money, but really my general rule in theory is, split it in a way that no checks will bounce.

But ps, if you split every bill 50 50, thats just a lot of unnecessary work. Im thinking like, cable comes out of my paycheck and hiring housework comes out of yours (or something, i wanted to avoid saying groceries in case someone found that offensive, but im not married so i can't think of anything else)

Anonymous · Answer

There is no right or wrong answer. It depends on the couple.

My wife and I have all our mutual bills - groceries, mortgage, insurance etc - direct debited off a credit card. At the end of every month, we both pay 50% of what is remaining on the credit card.

We pay our own car expenses, clothing etc.

We have an account that we both put a set amount of money into every week, that is used for things like holidays together, purchases for the house etc.

The rest of our money is to do with as we please. This is something we have developed over years, and it works perfectly. Our expenses are less than 50% of our income (we both earn almost the same too).

America1st · Answer

A marriage shouldn't be about who pays the bills. You commingle your money and the bills are paid out of that, regardless of who makes what. If you have to keep your money separate you should sit down and have a conversation about how you do things. There is no right percentage in a marriage. You are both in it together and how you pay things should not be an issue. A marriage is two people joining together in life, not keeping things separate. If you have to worry about who is paying what, you shouldn't get married.

slatyb · Answer

If both are working, they should both contribute to a joint account to cover joint things like household expenses and vacations and entertainment and savings. The person earning more should contribute more. Both partners should also have separate accounts that they can spend freely. Maybe each gets half of whatever is left.

truthbeknown · Answer

The guy who said that strikes me as the type who expects her to stay home, cook, clean and do laundry.
For me, it's a double income society anymore. If you want nice things and don't want debt up to your eyeballs, then both partners need to work. It isn't fair if I have to go to work every day and she doesn't, then I come home to pay for everything while she gets to claim ownership to half of it without paying for anything. I think any partner who sits back and allows the "breadwinner" to pay for everything is just being lazy, shallow and financially abusive because they are being a total financial flake. It doesn't have to be perfectly 50/50, but 95/5 won't work for me either. You want a life with me, you need to work for it and pay for it too! Fair is fair.

Journalist · Answer

I don't see 50 50 rule
My parents do share money, but My father is the main provider. If he has money, he always pays. He even pays for his brothers, and their children. That's how family should be in my opinion. My mom isn't required to pay if my father has money. She does so out of kindness.

akadatank44 · Answer

I think the easiest way and my recommendation to married people is to have one main joint account that they both know about, contribute to and "work" with. They both should go over the bank statement and see what they all purchased and balance their checkbook. See if the bank made a mistake which does happen folks! I used to get this a few times"Well my husband always balanced the checkbook" when I was a teller. That way you both understand how things work and if the unthinkable does happen you are prepared.
I also believe having separate side accounts ts is good as well. That way you can purchase gifts, things that you've been saving up for to buy for yourself, or a " play" fund. But I don't believe in any secrets.

ekc8295 · Answer

I put no because it really depends on the income and the relationship. If both parties are making similar pay I don't know why the hell it wouldn't be 50/50. For couples that have a large income disparity it can vary. Some people are only comfortable with 50/50, which is fine, but means you are limited to the budget of the lower income partner. Otherwise you're asking someone to live way beyond their means which isn't fair or kind to somebody you're supposedly care about. I think it's more common for couples with a large income disparity to split bills by percentage. That way the couple is living on total combined income and each person pays proportional to the total income. Both people are contributing an amount that is reasonable for their income.

tdneves · Answer

i voted no because I think it depends on the couple. for a couple with joint accounts, house, kids and maybe different work schedules and different home chores yes.

a couple that has no shared responsibilities should be each one pays their own part.

but above all they should talk and come to their own agreement instead of using a fit for everyone bill.

AleDeEurope · Answer

I think a married couple should be sharing expenses, they should have a joint bank account. So technically yeah, they'd be sharing the bills, just like they're sharing everything else.
I believe that when you get married, you become once, therefore, you share your money.

lovelyhoneybones · Answer

You have to take into account whether both partners have jobs or not. If one does, and one doesn't then it's a given that all the responsibilities of bills would be on the one partner's shoulders. Now if they both are working, then of course it should be split. You're both living in the house, using water, electricity, eating the food, using the internet. Therefore you should both be contributing, unless otherwise discussed.

Kitten967 · Answer

It's up to the couple, some want to spilt the bills and some don't. If one of you is a stay at home mum/dad then you can't really spilt the bills.

Izumiblu · Answer

THe one guy was right... if you are splitting everything equally you have a roommate not a wife.

A family is a single unit, everyone should contribute a roughly equal amount but it can't be measured in dollars. As a family you share a budget and all the resources and responsibilities as a unit. Functionally, this means the money goes into one central location and everything gets paid for from there.

mistixs · Answer

No, because oftentimes, one person (typically the man) is getting paid more in the workforce because they have more time and energy to do so, because the other person (typically the woman) is doing more of the unpaid labor around the house. Since the person in the workforce is getting paid more for their labor, it's fair that they pay more of the bills.

Also, in cases where the woman is pregnant, it's fair that the man pay more of the bills, since pregnancy can make working more difficult.

Anpu23 · Answer

We each keep separate personal accounts as well as a household one. We each contribute equally to the household account that one is for bills and household emergencies, as for our personal accounts it keeps the money stress off of each of us. We can spend our money how we want, including spending it on each other without concerns as to if we can pay the bills. This is working for us.

gergarin · Answer

I had a long post written and then I accidentally touched the "previous" button...  In short, because I am tired of writing this again, my answer is NEITHER.

Anonymous · Answer

Legally, when you marry someone, your finances become intertwined in the first place. In many states, like Texas for example, the husband becomes the primary owner of ANY and ALL property purchased by either party while married, regardless of which of them is actually paying for it. Their debt can also become your debt. In some states, money owed can be garnished from your spouse, except for child support.

Walrus_au · Answer

There is no yes or no here. a married couple should be able to work out how best to cover their bills between them.

What might be right for one couple may be all wrong for another. Declaring that the division of bills should be xxx/xxx shows an acute ignorance of how relationships work.

dolemite68 · Answer

depends on if you have kids or who works etc. if the wife takes care of the kids and is a stay at home mom while the dad works obviously he pays the bills but say you guys don't have kids and both work, then yes u should split the bills.

SammyGurl · Answer

I voted no, based on my current situation, I guess you could say we're splitting the bills, however all our money goes into a joint account. We don't believe in a his and hers account system, we share everything in our relationship, money is no different.

Bon-Bon · Answer

I think they should give an equal percentage, not necessarily 50/50, because if the salaries are very different, one would end up giving up too much. they should open an account for bills only, and each of them could transfer lets say 30% of their salaries

Nyx_85 · Answer

It should be dependent on how much each person makes. If they can both do 50/50 then great but some people can't afford a 50/50 split. If your partner makes like 2 or 3 times more than you than that really isn't fair. But a 30/70 or 40/60 split might work better or something might work better. And money for bills and what not should go into a joint account.

Kitty44 · Answer

Uh no. If you're married all of both of your money goes into a mutual account and you decide, together, how the bills will be paid and which leisure items/activities you will spend on. Otherwise you just have a roommate.

Getting stingy or hiding money in your marriage is a bad idea. When you end up divorced, that person will take your money.

mjz00 · Answer

hi, i think realistically on a percentage of the income whether it be the man or woman who earns more... it may not be splitting bills but sharing the expenses if one earns twice as much as the other surely that is a fairer way leaving each person with a disposable income for themselves and to enjoy together xx

Glen68 · Answer

when your married you should get a joint account because it's no longer your money it's our money and doesn't matter who makes more because everything is joint

bo494 · Answer

I paid all household bills, and she paid for groceries and her student loans. We so well, so there's plenty of extra funds for fun and vacations. Have four bank accounts, and we're joint on all of them. We're married, no need for hidden funds.

Alyssa1111 · Answer

probably, but if im in a relationship with somebody and we're living together, and one of us is earning significantly more than the other, it would make sense to have that person pay more.
It's not about money, it's about making sure my partner is comfortable and not struggling (and vice versa)

SheDaisy · Answer

I personally would like a main joint account that all of our money goes into, like three of them one for savings, one for planning and one for bills and food (PNC Bank has something similar) and separate accounts that we can put our "allowance" money into. That way we can still have freedom to save or spend money on what we want. Or buy each other special little gifts and not spoil thr surprise by seeing it in the history lol

LaFemmeFatale · Answer

I've thought maybe they should add same amount of money from their salaries to their common budget and then every time when they go somewhere, spend money from this budget. It is like splitting the money or whichever has the money at that time, he/she should pay.

shadow1332 · Answer

well over centuries males are classified as the person who provides the necessities but nowadays times have become tough and there might be required to split expenses. I believe that the man should provide but if it is necessary and possible there should be assisted. There is more than likely going to be someone saying equality should be implemented but it doesn't exactly feel right expecting it

HungLikeAHorsefly · Answer

My wife and I pool our money into one account and then pay all of the bills from that account.

mikaaaa · Answer

no. married couples should have only one account. both wages going there and the bills should be paid from that account.

daydream88 · Answer

we do our bills on percentage of totally income. since I made more I paid more but now that I cut back he pays more.

Brisk · Answer

In my opinion, married couples shouldn't do a 50/50 lifestyle. They should rather put their money together - each by their monetary capabilities - for things they buy for them both.

iFarted · Answer

They should set up an shared bank account for splitting bills fairly while still maintaining personal accounts

0112358 · Answer

You set up a budget. Some money for shared goes together, some personal money each. No, costs shouldn't be exactly 50/50. In my case anyway, I pay 100 soooooo

WhereAmI · Answer

Since she would probably not agree to a weighted percentage of income based upon level of effort, I would opt for a central pool, each with a % of each income for their own personal account not requiring approval from the other for purchases.

Anonymous · Answer

In the United States, for the most part, when a couple marries, all assets and income of both partners becomes communal, with some notable exceptions. So really, both partners put 100% into the pot, and then the two of them decide how to spend it. In reality though, of course, individual people do still retain some control over some assets. What I think should happen is that both parties make a decision together. Not for me to decide how YOU split bills in your marriage.

Cody01 · Answer

50/50, you cover this bill I'll get the next, I'm not doing well financially can you cover most of it and I'll make up the rest or pay you back, etc

Blitzkrieger · Answer

Im dutch so we go dutch 😎

My parents just pay what comes in they dont care who pays it. My dad brings in most money now as my mom is working for free now on her multiple entrepreneurships so maybe in the future she will bring in most money as she did in the past.

JustCallMeLeon · Answer

If you still think you need to split the bills then there is something wrong with your relationship. If you are meant to be one, then you should be able to communicate well enough to arrange your economics... I know 2 couples that did something similar. One marriage lasted one year and the other couple has serious sexual issues (not physical). Anyways. Just my opinion.

ChanRin · Answer

It's the most democratic, but I would do it like my parents do. my mom earns less than dad and it would be really "rude" to want her to pay 50/50. they split it the way they need and have no problems at all. That's what I would do too

Eternallylucky · Answer

For every bill? It will mean one thing... this is not a good relationship to start if...

I'd go with someone who will take responsibility for electricity bill and water, while I pay for gas, food and extra maintenance bills.

writing_essays · Answer

The person who makes more should pay more. The person who makes less should pay less.

Rainie_ · Answer

Generally yes. My mum pays for majority of bills in my family though as she is the breadwinner. I think whoever gets the most income should pay more, but definitely split the bill.

Anonymous · Answer

yes to some extent. Sometimes wife or husbands make more money and work more hours so in this case the one making more money should pay more and the other one who makes less money and works less hours should still pay but help more around the ouse like cleaning or cooking.

Anonymous · Answer

Personally I think it should be based on how much they make. For example if I made twice as much as my wife, I would want to pay 2/3 of each bill. If she made twice as much as me, then she'd pay 2/3.

matchrestore · Answer

I understand the merit with this, but my wife and I find it far easier to put all of our money in one common account. We both have autonomy to spend money as we please (within reason... we're not buying anything huge without discussing it at least).

jacquesvol · Answer

We've been doing it since the start: a common account, both incomes come there and all expenses are paid through that account. All our accounts are common accounts.

ciitruskiwi · Answer

To me everything in a marriage is 50/50. Both of you are in the marriage not just one. If you both work then you both pay bills. if only one works then they pay bills and the other works around the house (cleaning, cooking, taking care of kids, etc).

PrincessPie · Answer

Yes i believe if you have same amount of money... otherwise who ever earns most.. or whatever but to be honest for me personally i share my money with my partner and they do with me.. so its both are money anyway.

answerALLquestions · Answer

Why are married couples keeping separate money. In a marriage paying should come down to just "money we have" and "money we don't have"

Zendrya · Answer

I don't think it matters. A lot of married people have a joint bank account so they isn't really any splitting. All the money gets put together.

Brindale · Answer

I thought close relationships were built on mutual trust but based on all these other opinions I appear to be mistaken :/

julesabi98 · Answer

I dont know... but for me when I marry someone his money is my money and my money is his... i don't see it as like "yours" and "mine". so sometimes I will pay and other times he will pay..

NerdInDenial · Answer

This depends on the arrangement of finances. If both parties have similar income, 50/50 split is feasible. If not, then it maybe more difficult.

Paris13 · Answer

It all depends Here, dear. To be Square and fair. If Both are Working, it is Good to Make a Budget to Fit Everyone under the Sun, hun. If only One party is On the Job, then One is the Only One. xx

Savvy101 · Answer

Sharing the same bank account means that it is both your money because since your married nothing is just yours but both of yours so therefore you are paying for it together I guess!

theresat0 · Answer

I think it's more healthy when there's not a set percentage. If both are working, I think it's best if both are willing to contribute but neither is obsessive about paying themselves or making the other pay their fair amount.

RedThread · Answer

My parents have been married for over 35 years and they have their own accounts where most of their money is and a joint account for bills between them.  I'd probably do the same thing to be honest.

chrisbigman · Answer

If I'm not mistaken, the marriage vows include the following words:

"for rich or for poor".

Which means you either share each other's wealth or you share each other's poverty. That's part of being married.

Should married couples split the bills 50/50?

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