Financial affairs.

[Wahoo]

Just feign total ignorance of your spouse's financial affairs like Ruth Madoff, even though it didn't stop her from squirreling away millions of dollars.

[Rose21]

It's mandatory for a husband and wife to have joint account so they both contribute to house hold expenses, and retirement fund. But I strongly belive every woman should have what I called there "F-U" money. J ust in case one day you have to pack-up and make a run for it. My Mother allways has a little something tuck away.

[ECO]

1. Should it be mandatory for husbands and wives to have joint bank accounts?
2. Is it acceptable for either the husband or wife to have a separate personal bank account?
3. Is there anything wrong with having separate bank account that is secret from your partner?
4. Should both partners know precisely what each other’s income is?

1. Nope so long as the the woman pays the bills everything is fine.

2. I think it's a very good idea in case one of them wants to go shopping so it does not risk the bill paying account.

3. Hmm, I'll say this much don't try to hide $15,000 in your family safe and have your wife find it. I got a call a few years ago "WTF, I found $5000 in the safe......." I almost had a heart attack thinking most of my stash was missing until I asked if she counted it.

4. I'll be serious on this one........I can't see any good reason for a married couple to hide stuff from each other.

[Rose21]

It's mandatory for a husband and wife to have joint account so they both contribute to house hold expenses, and retirement fund. But I strongly belive every woman should have what I called there "F-U" money. J ust in case one day you have to pack-up and make a run for it. My Mother allways has a little something tuck away.

R21 isn't tuck away money kind of hiding it.

Yes it's kind of hiding. I have seen many marriges ended and the woman end up with noting. So it's a safity net, it may not go far but it helps.

[MZKUMA]

1. Should it be mandatory for husbands and wives to have joint bank accounts? I don't feel it should. We have a joint account.

2. Is it acceptable for either the husband or wife to have a separate personal bank account? For us, no problem. We both have a separate savings. If either us need money, we come to each other.

3. Is there anything wrong with having separate bank account that is secret from your partner? As long as I get my share he can do what he wants. I think most us us keep a little stash on the side. You just never know.

4. Should both partners know precisely what each others income is? How else could we budget?

[jellybean]

My work colleagues father died and his mother who was 70 did not have a clue about any of the finances - she never handled money or bills. Everything she wanted she went to the husband.

My colleague now has to take her shopping and manage all the finances - the mother does not even want to speak to the bank.


In another era when the wife stayed at home and the husband worked - the men felt it was their responsibility to manage the money and give the wife housekeeping everyweek. Times have come alongway but some people still live like that.

Through experience I will never have a joint bank account or depend on a man for money - my father was a drinker / gambler and I can remember him drinking / gambling away his money and not having any shopping money to give to my mum.

My mum got a job and told us that we should always have money put away secretly
so that we will never have to go through what she did.

[ECO]

Through experience I will never have a joint bank account or depend on a man for money - my father was a drinker / gambler and I can remember him drinking / gambling away his money and not having any shopping money to give to my mum.

My mum got a job and told us that we should always have money put away secretly
so that we will never have to go through what she did.

That's a sad story, thanks for sharing it.