Should the higher earner in our household contribute more to shared expenses?

Proportional splitting, where each partner contributes the same percentage of income rather than the same dollar amount, is often the fairest approach when incomes differ significantly. If one of you earns twice as much, a 50-50 split of the rent leaves the lower earner with far less breathing room, which can breed resentment. To do it, add both incomes, calculate each person's share of the total, and have each contribute that percentage toward joint bills and savings. A dollar split can be fine when incomes are close or when both partners prefer strict equality. What matters is that you decide together, revisit it when incomes change, and treat the household as a team rather than keeping a running scorecard. Document the agreement so it is not relitigated every month.