> “Married people may be much more likely to have these conversations around what goals they have for their financial future,” she said. “There seems to be something very special and unique about deciding to share finances.”
> Unmarried couples may be less willing to commingle their money, said Prof. Garbinsky.
The number one cause of divorce in America is money fights and money problems ( per https://www.k-state.edu/media/newsreleases/jul13/predictingd... )
Couples who pool their finances increase relationship satisfaction - especially in low income families - per https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2022-42962-001
Combining accounts is something my wife and I decided to do right away when we got married. It's way less complicated than the alternative. We don't have fights about money. We talk about big purchases before we make them. Since she's more of a free spirit to my money nerd, sometimes I have a little trouble bringing her to family budget reviews, but eventually she finds some time to talk.
Reviewing our budget/financial health gives us an opportunity to talk about our future financial plans, what we want to be able to afford, our hopes and dreams. And we never have to think about who's going to pay for what out of what account. The money earned in the family isn't "her money" and "my money", it's our money.