How do couples deal with significantly different incomes?

[Aztech]

I was married to my ex-wife for about 7 years and I always made all the money, while she tried and failed to get a degree. We did the main shared account with equal allowances to each of us, but we always argued about money. Things she spend out of the main account I didn't agree with, etc. etc. I believe money problems are still the #1 source of divorce in the US.

I still prefer the sharing thing in theory, but you have to find the right person for it to work. If the person making significantly less money thinks they can do the majority of the spending, that ain't gonna work! :|

 

[Fritzo]

Originally posted by: Aztech
I was married to my ex-wife for about 7 years and I always made all the money, while she tried and failed to get a degree. We did the main shared account with equal allowances to each of us, but we always argued about money. Things she spend out of the main account I didn't agree with, etc. etc. I believe money problems are still the #1 source of divorce in the US.

I still prefer the sharing thing in theory, but you have to find the right person for it to work. If the person making significantly less money thinks they can do the majority of the spending, that ain't gonna work! :|

Money isn't the cause, it's feeling used or abused by the other person that causes money arguments. You felt she wasn't holding up her side because she wasn't working and "failed to get a degree". You can tell you feel you were getting taken advantage of from your post. I guess that's why she's your ex.

 

[AMCRambler]

I guess how the accounts are handled depends on what kind of person you marry. My girl isn't so good at balancing her check book and managing her accounts. She's not awful, but I don't think she's ever managed to balance her check book, lol. I'll probably end up doing all the managing of the funds for her if we get married. Now when it comes to spending the dough she's pretty frugal. I probably by more stupid crap than she does. So I think when it comes to getting a piece of electronics I'll be asking her to make sure it's alright. She's good at keeping me in check when it comes to impulse buys. It's not like I spend money I don't have, but there are times I buy something that isn't really worth it and afterward I'm thinking what a stupid move.

 

[Darwin333]

Wow. With all of the important issues my wife and I have to deal with, our difference in income has never been an issue.

 

[moshquerade]

it shouldn't even be an issue.