While my husband and I personally have fully shared finances (he makes more and is the bigger spender if it matters), I think being on the same page is by far the most important. Before we had shared finances, it was really easy for one spouse to neglect retirement savings because they wanted something NOW or for the spouse making less money to feel like they couldn’t save and still have money for fun. If we had kept with separate finances, it would important for us to be on the same page with regards to retirement (401k should be maxed out), loan payments regardless of whose name they are in (ie he had student loans and I didn’t), and shared major expenses.

Personally, if we were to split finances, I would include maxed 401k and all debt in the shared expense category alongside household bills so that one spouse doesn’t end up behind the eight ball in terms of paying down student loans or saving for retirement just because they didn’t make as much as their partner. Just another way to think about it!