Weddingbee Blog

Mr. Rainbow and I have been together officially for 2 years and 6 months, and we have been living together for officially 2 years and 5 months. Crazy, I know, but fortunately, it worked for us. After getting swept away in our whirlwind romance we quickly decided to pack up and start living in sin, as Mommy Rainbow likes to jokingly call it.

I had previously fallen in love with Orlando, so Mr. R suggested that we move there together. He would move from Tampa to Orlando, and I would move from Ft. Lauderdale to Orlando. While Mr. Rainbow was still able to keep his job in Tampa (he was moving a little over an hour away—a huge pain in the butt, but doable), I was not. We quickly decided that he’d be responsible for rent and his car, and once I was able to get a job in Orlando, I’d be responsible for the smaller bills, like power, water, cable, cell phones (we’re on a plan together), etc.

Eventually Mr. Rainbow got a promotion (one of many to come, whoop, whoop!) that required more of his attention, so we made a move to Tampa and I was out of a job, again. Fortunately, I was able to find a new job (albeit, the absolute worst, most miserable job of my life) and our plan for paying the bills stayed the same. Separate finances, separate bills. Although we were living under the same roof, owned pets, had combined our cell phones, and financed a car together, we were still financially separate.

Even after we got engaged, it took a while for Mr. R to warm up to the idea of combining finances. I think because he’s the main breadwinner and I have a slight reputation for being a power shopper. What people don’t know though, is that while I love to shop, I am probably one of the most fiscally responsible people you will ever meet (which I attribute to Rainbow Pops forcing me to pay for my own cell phone and car insurance in high school… thanks dad!). I’ve never overdrafted or had a late payment on anything and my credit score is like “daaaaaamn giiiirl”. So booya, Mr. Rainbow! Booya in your face! (Yes, I did just bring back 1993.)

Anyway, a few months ago, we finally took the plunge and combined finances. We were both a little worried, because we had never had a fight or argument regarding finances, and knowing that monetary issues are the #1 reason why people split up, we were scared that it might cause some unforeseen problems. But you know what? It didn’t. I attribute that partially to our responsibility, and partially to the fact that we’ve always had open communication when it come to finances.

We’re a team, and with every step we take together, it just shows me how well we really do work together. I’d have to say that combining finances was one of the best decisions we’ve made together as a couple. It’s made everything so. much. easier. No more juggling who pays for what, or who’s responsible for this or that- we look at it as a big pot of our money, and it works great for us. The only downside? Now I feel like I’m paying for my own birthday gifts.

What about you? Are you and your SO combining finances or staying separate? If you’re combining, are you worried about unforeseen issues? If you’re staying separate, how do you split up the bills?