Dealing with Finances as Couple

We just got married. With only 1 year and 9 months to boost. :) And here is our take on our family income.

We both have our jobs away from our hometown. And we rent a small space, typically a little room for the husband and I. We do our own grocery both from supermarket and wet market. We cook our own meals which usually is good for 2 meals already each day. Well, sometimes we indulge ourselves dining out especially when there's an occasion to celebrate. Some monthsaries when our schedule permits. :)

As a wife, it is my own choice for the husband not to give me his paycheck every payday. This is not the case for everyone, and this is just for us. He manages his own money as well as it is my business to manage mine. We do have common grounds, everything for the family expenses are split such as grocery, baby needs, space rent, and even fare. Those 'libre' comes when we have to dine out and he usually shoulder our little 'date's' expenses. Sometimes, I do. Everything else is split into two. And it works for us.

We go to the grocery together with a specific list on hand. Only those that we need for a month such as toiletries, few canned goods because really even canned goods are pricey nowadays. I can cook sauteed veggies with a price of a canned good. So, I often tell the husband, that we opt to buy veggies in the wet market instead. More so, it is healthier for us. We allot at least around 1500 to 1800 per month for the supermarket grocery, usually we buy in bulk for detergent, tissue paper, and condiments.

When all else have been charged and divided, the remaining amount in our paychecks are up to us to manage. I personally have to allot a portion of  my salary to my parents allowance, their grocery, and their electric bill. And of course, on my savings and investments. The husband as well allots his own money to his parents allowance and for his savings. And you may say, we have a big salary? No, we try to make both ends meet. We try to give as much as not sacrificing our long term plans.

We have a joint time deposit account for our emergency fund where we allot 500 pesos each per month in addition to the traditional business' income generated per month. Religiously. We maintain separate savings account. We truly believe that we are our own steward of what is provided to us as an individual. We just have to remind ourselves once in a while that what one of us do will certainly affect the other thus a better communication on every detail of our finances is a must for both of us.

Note: Different strokes for different folks. This is only our take to our finances. :) Happy learning.