Sample issue

Hi there,

This issue's conversation: what does "fair" mean to you?

If one of you takes home $4,200 a month and the other $2,800, splitting $3,000 of shared costs 50/50 means one person puts in 36% of their pay and the other 54%. Splitting by income means you both put in about 43%. Neither is right or wrong. What matters is that you both feel it's fair.

See both options with your own numbers in the fair split calculator.

A small system to try

Agree on a monthly amount of personal spending money for each of you, and no questions asked about how it's spent. It removes a surprising number of small arguments. See Personal spending money for each of you.

Reader question

"My partner never wants to talk about money. How do I start?" Start small and low-pressure: a walk, and one question like "What would you love us to do next year?" Goals are often an easier way in than bills.

Here's to your jar,
Coin Jar Club