Is it time to get a shared bank account with your partner?

Are you ready to share finances with your significant other? Or, do you still need to get on the same page when it comes to money?

You and your partner share household chores. You cook dinner together and go on vacations together. But, you don’t yet share a bank account. Is it time to make the leap?

Talking about money can be difficult. Between feeling self-conscious about how much you have (whether it’s a lot or a little) and conflicting visions of how money should be spent, it’s not uncommon for couples to avoid the topic.

How to decide on getting a shared bank account

It comes down to trust and transparency. Think through the last few big purchases you and your partner made:

• How did you come to the decision to buy?
• How did you divide up the purchase? 
• Did you feel the process was fair? 
• Were you both open and honest?
   

If you’re comfortable with the answers to these questions, you’re off to a good start.

What to consider

Sit down with your partner and talk openly about:

• Credit scores: This is a good indicator of your partner’s financial responsibility. 
• Debt: You and your partner should know who owes what to whom. 
• Your savings: If one of you has far more money stashed away, combining everything into one shared account might not be equitable. 
• Your spending style: Are you a couponer, or do you like to make a big splash? 
• Your saving style: Do you follow strict rules, or do you save when you can?
   

Pause if...

If you’ve encountered any of the following, you might want to hit the pause button on opening a joint account:

• Daily disagreements about money
• A buy-first, justify-later attitude about big purchases
• Secret purchases or disappearing money
• Avoidance or differing, vague answers when asked about money

The advantages

If both members of a relationship are open and honest with each other, a joint checking account could be a great financial tool.

It allows you and your partner easy access to shared money. For example, each of you can auto-deposit a certain amount of money each month, so you know you’ll have enough for shared expenses or savings goals.

Start exploring what’s right for you and your partner. And learn more about U.S. Bank options for opening a joint bank account.