My significant other and I were debating a long time ago over how to keep our finances linked together, yet still have the independence to do things with our money individually. Now every family is different, but we decided to do the following:

• Set up a joint “high yield” savings account for purchases to make together such as furniture, children’s college fund, down payment on a new house or improvements to an existing one.
• Have each person’s monthly income go into his or her respective individual accounts. The more responsible one can then pay joint bills online while the other pitches in his or her half of the total joint monthly bills. If this way seems unfair to the one paying the bills, there are other duties that can be done to make up the effort (house cleaning, repairs, garbage, dishes, laundry, etc.)

The last point is optional. If you feel comfortable depositing your income into the joint account to pay bills from that account instead of sharing the burden, then go right ahead. Try to make an effort to discuss your financial situation often, but not in a way that is unhealthy to the relationship. Remember that you and your partner are a team. The more equal and realistic the balance in contribution, the more likely you will not blame the other for falling short on capital commitments.