Household

Couples budget, separate accounts: shared plan, independent money

Many couples keep separate accounts and still want a shared plan. The structure that works: joint bills split fairly, shared goals funded proportionally, and the rest of each paycheck staying personal — with one household calendar everyone sees.

Plan with separate accounts

  • Shared household calendar

    Bills and shared goals on one grid both partners see.

  • Fair split of bills

    By income, equal, or fixed shares — the rule you both agree.

  • Transfers repeat

    Each partner's contribution transfers on payday automatically.

  • Money stays separate

    Personal balances stay private; the plan is what is shared.

The separate-accounts structure

Keep individual accounts. Add the household layer: joint bills with a split rule, shared goals with agreed contributions, and a joint projection. Each partner's share transfers on payday — the calendar schedules it — and the shared view keeps the household honest without merging anything.

Split rules that work

RuleHow it worksBest for
By incomeProportional to earningsDifferent incomes
EqualSame share eachSimilar incomes
FixedOne partner takes specific billsNatural bill owners

Frequently asked questions

Can we budget together without merging accounts?

Yes — keep separate accounts and share a household calendar of joint bills and goals with an agreed split.

How do we split bills fairly?

By income is the common fair rule; equal or fixed work when incomes are similar or ownership is natural.

Is it free?

Yes — the shared calendar and recurring plans are free forever.

Separate money, shared plan

Free core, one-time Pro, no bank linking.

Open Cashflow Calendar