Question about finances

So FH and I have been living together for almost 2 years now and we've finally decided that it's time for a joint checking account. Here's our problem: We both have very different ways of tracking our finances. I write down everything in my checkbook including every credit card transaction that I make. He only writes down the checks.

How have you guys made it work so that you both know how much money is available and you don't go crazy?

I never thought this would be so complicated.

He just told me I keep better track so I can handle the finances.

I probably would say sit down together, and go over how you each do it, and come to a comprimise of which way really works better, or a combination of both your ways.

yep, i will have the checkbook, and he of course can look at it etc...but we will have a list of bills with dates due, and he will just have to make sure I have nothing outstanding if he needs $$.

He calls it, his weekly allowance...lol

online statements :)

It tells you everything, I have a joint account with Chase and just periodically check it to track transactions. You can designate one to be in charge of makign sure there's enough balance. I do this by setting an alert if my account goes below a certain amount.

Also everything purchased jointly is paid online via that joint account so it gives us a payment history.

This is most likely not the BEST way to do it but this is how we do it and it works for us: FH does all of the bills and manages the accounts. He knows how much we need in one account, how much we have to spend, how much we can put towards savings, etc... so he gives me 'spend money' during the week (he knows how much I need for gas, food, etc) and then if I decide to go shopping one day or something and I want to buy a pair of pants I just give him a call and say, listen I love these pants from Gap, can I get them? are we OK this month for me to spend $60 bucks randomly on pants? And he either tells me yeah go for it or nah wait another week and get them b/c this week I have the car payment, etc.

It sounds complicated but for us, it works-- and I don't have to call him that often b/c I rarely spend. We go food shopping together so I never need to worry about buying that-- and that's for our debit transactions-- the other thing is, most of the stuff we buy-- we buy in cash that we seperate from the money that goes into the checking account before we deposit it-- so that's our 'spend' money

OK, I hope I didn't make you more confused LOL just try talking to him and coming up with a way that both of you like-- give it a try, if after a month or so it's not working-- switch to another way

GOOD LUCK

ETA: i saw someone say online statements-- that helps a lot!!! :) We use Commerce and we love it!