[sokoloff]

We have two joint checking accounts and three* joint credit card accounts, one of which is logically "mine" and one which is logically "hers" and we freely flow money between them on the rare occasions when it's needed, but day-to-day we have clear single-user management (to avoid overdrafts, spot anomalies, etc.).

We have "calibrated" the direct deposit amounts to minimize the need to move money across the accounts. If money "backs up" in one or the other, we move it into investments, but month-to-month, practically everything is on autopilot.

I think that's about as operationally simple as it gets, which was also a huge priority for us.

Savings and investments are all consolidated and jointly-owned wherever possible and I maintain a periodic (slightly more than quarterly) update of that manually by looking at the Vanguard, Etrade, Fidelity, etc accounts.

* The third credit card account is a Chase Amazon account for the better cash back on that card. It's only used for Amazon, so it's easier to spot anything unusual.

[soco]

Same here. I have some friends with clearly separated accounting, and they have constant discussions of the kind I definitely don't need. Mind you they are not fighting, just arguing what should go where. I know I would have worse discussions in case of a divorce, but I'll keep them for that case.

[sokoloff]

It helps that we're pretty compatible in terms of spending habits. I'm more of a cheapskate, but we're both well aware of the math of savings/retirement and neither of us spends stupidly in the other person's opinion.

If a heavy saver marries a heavy spender, I'm not sure that there exists an arrangement of accounts that will solve the problem, but separation of accounting may reduce likelihood or delay the inevitability...