Joint Accounts or Not?

Here is an image I just painted for Carols from Carol's Jewelry and Fine Gifts. We did a barter and I am getting some of her fun and funky jewelry out of the deal. I recently bartered a small image for Michelle's website too. If you follow my blog at all, you know I have a heart for women owning their own businesses. Although I must stop buying goodies for myself and bring in cash, it was bit fun for me.

My love for female entrepreneurs led my to tune in The View today (which I normally won't watch) but Suzie Orman was on along with the Sara Blakely who founded Spanx, the undergarment line. Suzie asked great questions, they should add her to the panel, she was focused and asked the questions that the "viewers" wanted to know-How did you patent your idea? What did you so next? etc. She didn't dribble on on tangents like some interviewers do. She definitely has a passion for helping women find success financially.
Anyway, the question came up "Should you have joint or separate banking accounts with your husband?" Suzie says emphatically YES! One for you, One for him, One for the household. Elizabeth on the show said emphatically NO! She was not going to gear up for a future divorce and she believes it is more joint if it is ALL shared. This was interesting to me because 2 marriages, I have done it 2 ways, ha! I was the one not trusting enough for joint account with Tom even though he earned more than I did. It took 3 years for me to give in and have a joint account and for me it was an act of trust. He is a man that never questions my spending although I expected him to, he had to keep reminding me that he never has and never will. God has given me a man to heal with, hasn't He? Anyway, I think there is no hard rule but I am interested in what people think. Barbara asked, "What if the wife doesn't earn a paycheck-does she ask for an allowance from her husband's paycheck for her account?"
Yikes! that is where Suzie made her point-the real point-if she is not earning a dollar paycheck, maybe she is raising children, running the household she very much deserves to have her own account and it is not just HIS paycheck. In has to do with people ATTITUDE! All the other women balked, husband's wouldn't go for that etc. The women on The View couldn't even go for it themselves. But this is Suzie crusade, "Women quit under valuing yourselves!" In your marriage, in your family life and at the office. Her ideas ruffle people but we must do this for our daughters and our sons! I had a real eye opener with I realized the true meaning of a "no fault divorce". I had a glimpse of real women who are at risk of virtual poverty all over America. This is what Suzie is trying to prevent. I don't mean to rant but I guess it is something I am passionate about too.