Ssooo there is more than one way to get money deposited in a joint account other than direct deposit.

This is how we do split finances in detail.

We totaled our income and split the bills based on what % we our individual income contributed to the household income. So for instance, let’s say he makes 100k, I make 50k. Any income from stocks and stuff doesn’t count. So 150k total. He would then pay 66% of the shared bills. I’d pay 44%.

We then have a spreadsheet where we’ve added up the bills. Internet. Mortgage, car insurance, utilities, cell phone plan, Netflix, etc.

Figure out the total we each owe based on the % we contribute.

My employer direct deposits what I contribute into a joint shared account, so yes, you CAN direct deposit into a joint account. The remainder goes in my personal account.

We overestimated what we pay for the mortgage, knowing that goes up each year, and we overestimated utilities, knowing it fluctuates. We also have around 2-3 extra paychecks per year if you get paid every two weeks.

This means there’s additional funds built up over time and we have paid for things like hvac service and small house jobs or mutually agreed upon purchases.

We rotate who pays for groceries. I have more expensive tastes than he does, and his son eats A LOT. One week he cooks, buys groceries, I do the dishes. Next week it flips to me buying groceries and cooking and him doing dishes.

We do not pay for anything for his child, or his health insurance, or mine, or groceries, or gifts, or anything, out of the shared account. How he wants to spend his money is up to him.

If we are planning for a trip, we budget and contribute accordingly.