Need help explaining something ... opinions

I don't think it's a bad idea to say that each spouse gets X amount of money for "whatever". You're both adults, you both work hard, and you deserve to have some within-the-budget luxuries. But the higher-earning partner doesn't deserve more.

Unless you agree to that. My sister and her husband operated fine on that arrangement for fifteen years. Then they had kids and there wasn't as much "extra."

He's a little spoiled, not terribly disciplined, has expensive hobbies, and does moonlighting that brings in a five figure a year "bonus." She has simpler tastes and didn't have his needs and makes much less than he does. His money went to her toys, hers she saved and it went to their vacations. They still managed to put aside the maximum in 401ks and set money aside. She didn't mind "spoiling" him and the arrangement worked for both of them.

I've known people who were happy with arrangements with their spouse that I'd be "no way!" But if they are still happily married after 30 years, and aren't harming themselves or others, I'm not judging them - I'll judge their life against what I believe will or will not work for me - but that isn't the same as saying it never works.
 
I think your teacher-engineer scenerio illustrates why trying to parcel out "your percentage /my percentage" isn't going to work in a marriage. You're either all in, or you're not.
Works just fine for many people.
 
Op, I didn't read all the replies. I can tell you I am in a similar situation. He makes a more than me. I have the kid. We both have houses. We both have good jobs.

We are going to list out the monthly expenses. He will pay half. I am going to pay half. One, I don't need him to provide for me or DD financially. Two, we are too stinkin old at this point to suddenly just squish everything together. Three, after he pays into retirement and the monthly kitty, I guess I don't care what he spends the rest on. He also likes getting that big tax check back. I have mine set to nothing withheld.

When we get older and the new house gets paid off I could see our finances merging together more. I guess we will see how it works out.
 














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