Is it normal 6yr couple doesn't combine income?
Recently my boyfriend of 6yrs and I went to a store to apply for credit to purchase a large item. While we were filling out the paperwork with the loan officer, somehow this subject came up. My boyfriend and I have been together 6 years, living together for 5. I am 24 and he is 26. We both work full time and have our own bank accounts. We share an apt. and split the rent,l utilities, cell, and insurance down the middle, 50/50. He has a car payment and a credit card, I have my own car payment and 2 credit cards. Pretty much every 1st of the month I just give him my half for the rent and utilities and he goes and pays it. He gives me his half of the cell and I go pay it. Whatever money he or I have left over is none of the others' concern. His money is his and mine is mine. We've been doing it like this since we first got together. If he is short on money one week, I will lend him whatever and then we just make a note of what he owes me (or vice versa) then once it is payday, we just repay the loan. Like I said, this is how we have always done it and we have never fought about money. He can buy whatever he wants with his money and the same goes for me. I don't bitch about his purchases and he stays out of mine. In my opinion, it works out better than if we had shared an account. There is no animosity because he doesn't feel like he has to ask me before he can pull out and spend his own hard earned money. We have separate savings, as well. If we want to both buy something for someone like at Christmas we will just decide who will pay what amount or he may buy something for person A while I buy person B's gift. As far as household goods, we trade off. One week, I buy, the next; he buys. If he is short on a check, I pay. No big deal. He buys groceries he likes to eat, I buy what I like to eat. Dinner out is the same; he treats or I treat. It depends on who offered. It is always pretty even though.
We are getting married next year and we are splitting the costs between each other 50/50. He did buy my ring. I bought his. Everyone I know thinks this concept is just ridiculous.
When the loan officer guy heard our story he started laughing. He said he had never heard of a couple doing things like this. Well, I guess I never asked anyone how they manage their finances so I never knew this was so strange.
My boyfriends' parents recommended we put our money together. His little brother responded that even him and his live in girlfriend combine. His older brother and his live in girlfriend said they combine, and they only have been together one year! My boss said the way we do it is more like roommates than a relationship.
I don't get what is wrong with the way we have things. It works for us. There is no animosity. We don't fight about money. We both spend within our own means. Everything just feels so fair, equal, and peaceful between us.
Is anyone else like this? IIN?