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[greekcypriot]

I found this article on saving and keeping it a secret from our spouse.
How many of us really do this, and why?
Have you ever found money hidden anywhere you, yourselves saved, and found unexpectedly in times when really you needed it?

How did you feel then? Did you ever feel guilty about it?



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http://www.travelpod.com/members/greekcypriot
(More than 250 photos from Athens and Venice Trip)

[starlagurl]

Never ever. When you are married, you are supposed to be working together like a team. Everything goes in one pot and you spend from the pot for both of you.

[greekcypriot]

I have to disagree Louise!
I keep secrets concerning the money I earn, but always I share everything on trips.

I even book trips without my husband knowing it, and when the time comes we enjoy the whole package. At first he might not like the new surprise, but when the moment comes to fly, he is so happy and proud of what I am doing.

Sometimes keeping little secrets is ok.....if they are used like this.
He just knows that whatever I earn it is for my expenses and TRIPS!

Let's see, what other members here will have to say.

http://www.travelpod.com/members/greekcypriot

http://www.travelpod.com/members/greekcypriot

[starlagurl]

I agree surprises are wonderful things, but I think you can still have surprises while sharing the money you earn.

[travelmonster]

Well I don't exactly keep money secrets as such - but the way John and I work our money out, its not exactly all from one pot, but sort of is and it works out well for both of us.

Essentially John earns a lot more money than me, so we put it in a theoretical pot and pay all the bills and joint savings out of that - but then I could never imagine not having my own money and having to okay everything I spent - so we then each have the same amount of money each per month transfered to our own bank accounts to do exactly what we want with - therefore allowing to surprise the other one if we want and also allowing us to save independently for things if we want to. So if I want to save up an spend £1000 on an expensive item (never have and probably never will), but if I wanted to I could just do it and not feel guilty about spending someone elses money.

It works for us.

[starlagurl]

That's a pretty good compromise, and I think that's fair too. Interesting way to do things, Paula.

[greekcypriot]

Paula you are right. The same with us, but it is not as if I am keeping secrets or doing something bad. This imaginary pot you mentioned works for us a bit differently.
I pay for all my monthly expenses, my car, and all the rest my husband knows that I save for our trips. Now if I want to save for future need this is my problem, but he never asks how much I have. (Usually I don't have much anyway)
He pays for our daily expenses - he is the one who goes to the supermarket anyway- his car, bills, and any expenses that we have in the month. The rest we keep in a joint account