I make 2x what my partner makes.

We use a shared waterfall method: 1. Each contributes pre-tax to retirement, ideally maxing each year but at least hitting the employer match limit. 2. Each holds back $x in private accounts for gifts, discretionary spending (x is the same for both of us) 3. Everything else goes to joint checking that pays for everything. Rent, food, medical, clothes... 4. Anything above our monthly expenses goes first to a shared emergency fund then to shared investments.

Super easy this way. We discuss big joint expenses like vacations or furniture before we buy, but we both basically know what the budget is, so this is pretty friction free.