ChatterBank1 min ago
Best Way To Split The Bills When Living Together.
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My niece is planning to set up home with her boyfriend. He thinks all bills should be split equally, however he earns more than she does. I say the bills should be split pro rata based on their earnings. What do others think?
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//I honestly think you must be very tight fisted now!!!//
It's not a question of being tight-fisted. I would just hate to have no money of my own, to do with as I saw fit - including perhaps splurging on a generous surprise weekend break for us, for example, or maybe going away by myself on a golfing break with my friends. And the same, crucially, for my partner, to do with as she wanted.
It's not a question of being tight-fisted. I would just hate to have no money of my own, to do with as I saw fit - including perhaps splurging on a generous surprise weekend break for us, for example, or maybe going away by myself on a golfing break with my friends. And the same, crucially, for my partner, to do with as she wanted.
But we could do the same
But you said regarding the cost would I just buy it or go home and ask my husband and he would give the go ahead because it's half his money!! We don't see money as half his and half mine. We see it as our money. I had a month in Asia and Australia years ago with OUR money. We worked out it was affordable. I've just had a private op with OUR money!
But you said regarding the cost would I just buy it or go home and ask my husband and he would give the go ahead because it's half his money!! We don't see money as half his and half mine. We see it as our money. I had a month in Asia and Australia years ago with OUR money. We worked out it was affordable. I've just had a private op with OUR money!
I don't see that it shows distrust or a doomed relationship if a couple need to clarify finances before they live together. It's just common sense, it could eliminate problems in the future . I've also always had joint accounts but have always kept my own account as well and would encourage others to do the same.
As for the actual OP if ones earns 40K and the other 20K then of course the higher earner should pay more if thy are committed.
As for the actual OP if ones earns 40K and the other 20K then of course the higher earner should pay more if thy are committed.
//Same question to you NJ as pat - how do you buy Mrs NJ a birthday present, or arrange a surprise weekend city break (say) without her knowing all about the cost?//
We have individual credit cards which are paid by direct debit out of our joint accounts. Neither knows the detailed spend of the other, only the total monthly spend. Simples!
We have individual credit cards which are paid by direct debit out of our joint accounts. Neither knows the detailed spend of the other, only the total monthly spend. Simples!
I think there’s a difference between the OP’s niece ‘setting up home’ with her boyfriend and settling down with him and possibly getting married.
In her situation I’d say split the utility bills 50/50 and hope the boyfriend isn’t too much of a tightwad to ask her for a contribution to all restaurant bills, days out etc.
In her situation I’d say split the utility bills 50/50 and hope the boyfriend isn’t too much of a tightwad to ask her for a contribution to all restaurant bills, days out etc.
//"Here you are darling, I bought you this beautiful necklace for your birthday. Oh, by the way, you paid for half of it".//
Well the only way to avoid that situation (apart from not highlighting it with the last nine words) would be for each individual to maintain entirely separate finances, for all the household bills to be split, for all "common" items such as toilet rolls and washing up liquid to be itemised and the costs split. Quite how they should be split is open to debate - a toilet roll costs the same whether you are earning £100k or £10k. There is no reason why the higher earner should subsidise the housing costs of the lower. The cost of the property - and the enjoyment gained from it - is the same for both parties. Mrs NJ and I have individual Premium Bond investments (because you can't hold them jointly). I won £25k a few years back. Was it mine to keep? of course not. It went into out joint pot.
I'm sure there are ways of managing a household with entirely discreet finances but frankly life's too short to fanny about devising them.
Well the only way to avoid that situation (apart from not highlighting it with the last nine words) would be for each individual to maintain entirely separate finances, for all the household bills to be split, for all "common" items such as toilet rolls and washing up liquid to be itemised and the costs split. Quite how they should be split is open to debate - a toilet roll costs the same whether you are earning £100k or £10k. There is no reason why the higher earner should subsidise the housing costs of the lower. The cost of the property - and the enjoyment gained from it - is the same for both parties. Mrs NJ and I have individual Premium Bond investments (because you can't hold them jointly). I won £25k a few years back. Was it mine to keep? of course not. It went into out joint pot.
I'm sure there are ways of managing a household with entirely discreet finances but frankly life's too short to fanny about devising them.
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