(InvestigateTV) — A new report from Bankrate finds more than half of American couples keep some of their money separate.
Ted Rossman with Bankrate said it is generational. Boomers are the biggest subscribers to this model. He said only one in four couples completely separate their finances, mostly Gen Zers. Gen X and millennials are the biggest believers in the “yours, mine and ours” financial situation.
“I believe there’s actually a lot to like about this yours, mine, and ours thing because you work together on joint financial goals and obligations, but yet you also have some money that’s yours and yours alone. That’s a good thing because people don’t like the other person looking over their shoulder,” Rossman said.
He said it often works well because couples agree to certain dollar amounts together, but also have some money left over for buying what they want. He said to make sure it is not a secret and to keep up the communication.
“When it’s a secret that’s really a breach of trust and that can really come back to undermine not just your finances but even your more emotional kind of relationships. So don’t keep secrets but do talk about these things. If you want to keep some money separate and you and your spouse agree that can actually be a healthy way to have some independence but also working together on some joint goals or bills,” Rossman said.
Rossman said it is not always fun to talk about money but to try to take the stigma and judgment out of the conversation.
He also said to set a timer and make it a quick conversation, so couples do not dread it.
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