How should couples merge their finances?

There's no single right structure – joint, separate, or hybrid can all work – but the shared rule is a regular, honest conversation about money. The common models are fully joint (all income and bills pooled), fully separate (each pays agreed shares), and the popular 'yours, mine, and ours' hybrid where joint expenses flow through a shared account and each person keeps a personal account. What matters more than the accounts is agreeing on goals, who pays what, and a spending threshold above which you'll check with each other. Couples who talk about money monthly report far less conflict than those who avoid it. Pick a model, write down the split, and schedule a recurring money date. The /goals/build-wealth page can help you align on shared targets.