Should Married Couples Split Expenses? Dave Ramsey Says No: 'You're Married, Not Roommates'

Money can be tricky in marriage, but financial expert Dave Ramsey has a clear stance: married couples should combine their finances rather than splitting expenses. In a recently shared clip on X, Ramsey took a call from a listener who asked how married couples should handle money. His response was direct – there's no splitting, only combining.

Marriage Is Not a Business Arrangement

During the call, the listener asked whether couples should combine everything or split expenses equally. Ramsey firmly responded, "You combine everything. There is no middle. The preacher didn’t say, ‘And now you’re a joint venture.' He said, ‘And now you’re one.'"

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According to Ramsey, treating a marriage like a financial partnership rather than a unified household can create division. He emphasized that money should be a shared resource in a healthy marriage, not something divided into separate accounts or obligations.

Income Disparities Shouldn't Change the Approach

Many couples worry about what happens when one partner earns significantly more than the other. The caller asked Ramsey about this, and he dismissed the idea that income levels should dictate financial control.

"You’re not a partnership, you’re a marriage," Ramsey said. He gave his own example – his wife has not earned an income for 30 years because she stayed home to raise their children. However, Ramsey was clear that they don't see his earnings as solely his. "It's as much hers as it is mine – spiritually, morally and by the way, legally."

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For Ramsey, financial unity means that both partners contribute to the household, even if their incomes or roles differ. A spouse who earns more does not get "more votes" on financial decisions. Instead, both should create a budget together with shared goals in mind.

Why a Shared Budget Matters

Ramsey argues that separate finances can lead to couples growing apart rather than together. He encourages married partners to change their language from "mine" and "yours" to "ours." 

"If you change your language like that, what it forces you to do is it forces you to set goals together instead of having independent goals," Ramsey explained. "Marriages are always growing together or they’re growing apart."

He added a bit of humor, saying that the only thing in his house that isn't shared is responsibility for cleaning up after their dog – then it's HIS dog. 

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Finding What Works for Your Marriage

While Ramsey's approach is rooted in unity, some couples may find that a hybrid approach – such as having joint accounts for shared expenses and individual accounts for personal spending – works best for them. Every relationship is different, and what matters most is that both partners communicate openly and agree on a system that fosters financial trust and teamwork.

Ultimately, Ramsey's message is about more than just money – it's about commitment. Working together as a team may be the key to long-term success for married couples looking to build a strong financial future.

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