Would you share a bank account with your spouse? (For the sake of unity, yes)

For now, I do not share an account with my girlfriend but when we get engaged I think a single account would be great. I strongly advise other couples to do the same. The main reason that couples should have a joint account is unity. When you get engaged, you are almost one, and money is key where unity is concerned. There is no “yours or mine” but only “ours.” When you handle your money together, you are accepting your hopes, dreams and goals together. Dr. Taffy Wagner, CEO of Money Talk Matters, cautions partners against financial independence.“One way to treat a joint bank account is like a mutual money pot for household bills and other expenses, such as groceries and vacations,” he said. Financial planner CaseyWeade said he and his wife maintain joint savings accounts for big budget goals, which they both contribute to equally each month.Even when things aren’t good between the couple, the use of a single joint account also encourages open communication about your finances, which is absolutely critical to a successful marriage. As long as the right intent is there, I think you also operate in full unity with multiple accounts. Plus, I feel money is easier to manage when everything goes into one account and out of the same account. Couples will fight about how one spends the finances when things are rocky, but again, any kind of communication is better than no communication at all. And with the coming of mobile banking, both parties will know when money has been taken from the account. Besides, there is no need to hide things you buy from your spouse, unless you are paying for a hotel room during a lunch hour!It might not fully accommodate a peaceful environment or bring unity and open communication, but I believe many couples lead happier, healthier and more successful financial lives together under this arrangement. However, account sharing shouldn’t be compulsory. Sometimes one individual might make the effort to save while the other is only interested in spending it! If this is the case then by all means get individual accounts. It’s a wise decision if you all have the same goals in life and the will to maturely manage your savings. So, for me, the second I give her that ring, our accounts will become conjoined twins!