Joint Accounts
Don’t Let Your Partner Take Charge of the Finances
Why money management is something couples should do together
Dear Joint Accounts,
My husband and I have combined finances, but as he works in finance and is generally much better at money than I am, he does the vast majority of our money management. Objectively, it makes sense, but I still constantly feel paranoid about becoming that 1950s-style stereotypical wife who’s clueless about the finances. We have regular check-ins about how we’re doing, but I struggle to understand much of what he says, and I’m uncomfortable with him being in charge of everything. How do I get over this?
Sincerely,
Clueless About Money
In any relationship, each partner tends to take the lead on certain responsibilities: The more talented chef makes dinner, the one who likes to stress-vacuum takes on more of the cleaning, for example. But there’s a difference between taking the lead and taking over entirely, and when it comes to money, your husband shouldn’t be the only one in charge. While one spouse might do the budgeting and organizing, both parties should know and understand what’s going on with the family finances.
