How do you split your household bills

[Mr Tall]

I am just about to get a mortgage with my g/f, I'm going to pay the mortgage and she is going to pay for everything else. Then with what ever is left at of both our wages we are going to put together and split it equally. Well that's the plan cant do bills 50/50 as she doesn't earn enough to cover the mortgage.

[azif]

Not a bad plan but what I do is try and set aside a set amount for saving and set amount for bills this ensures you don't overspend. You earn more but believe it would be easier if you opened a joint account and both of you contributed half and half to go towards the mortgage and bills. But as I said the way you are planning to do things is not bad either. It all depends on different people and their circumstances.

[Backdrifter]

I'm with azif. My partner and I have a joint account and pay a set amount each month into it. We calculated the amount by totting up the mortgage + monthly bills, dividing that total by 2 and topping it up to allow some leeway. You could always try the same by weighting it slightly more towards you if her salary is significantly less than yours. As well as not really being aware of the montly bills all being paid, the leeway allows some build-up over time and we frequently are then able to buy joint stuff from that account including leisure things e.g. theatre, cinema tickets, restaurant meals, without having to further dip into our own accounts. Bear in mind if there are further interest rate rises, your own individual account could end up getting hammered.

We also have an additional monthly amount going into savings. Over the past few years that has been a godsend for e.g. holidays. We plan the holiday, and bingo - the accommodation, travel etc is all paid for straight off from ready funds. Though this year we're reserving it for a new bathroom - if we can EVER get any s*dding plumber or builder to get back to us with quotes.