That way you get an equal economy

– It’s mainly about not agreeing on what the money should go to. It could be that one of the couple spends more on gadgets and hobbies, that they don’t make the decisions together. Major financial events such as buying a house or renovating, can also lead to conflicts, says Madelén Falkenhäll, sustainability economist Swedbank.

The more egalitarian the economy, the less friction in the relationship. But then what is an equal economy?

– It’s about giving each other equal opportunities to be able to build an economy that everyone feels safe with. If there is a difference in income, you try to even it out by having the person who earns more pay more of the bills, so that both have room to save, and that you talk about finances and make the decisions together, says Madelén Falkenhäll.

Spend the money differently

Men and women think roughly the same about finances, the Verian survey shows. But they differ in how they spend their money.

– To a greater extent, men spend more money on gadgets and leisure interests, while women pay more of the household’s small expenses, says Madelén Falkenhäll.

But it is important to start talking about finances with each other. It’s not romantic, but caring, says Madelén Falkenhäll.

– It can be difficult. When you move in together, it can be a good opportunity, there is a lot to agree on. Then the economy should be such a thing, how should we do, put everything together in one pot. If you live together and haven’t talked about it, it’s high time.

Three ways to share the economy

There are three main ways that couples divide the finances.

– Either you have completely separate finances, have your own salary, but hopefully share expenses equally. If you have roughly the same salary, it gives you equal opportunities. But if there is a difference in salary and you just share the expenses equally, then what you have left is very different, and it doesn’t feel equal.

– If you have a completely shared economy, you put all the money in the same pot, pay the bills and divide the money that is left equally. It is mostly equal, both get exactly the same conditions.

– Then you have everything in between. You may pay based on ability. If I account for 60 percent of the income and my partner 40 percent, then maybe I pay 60 percent, then you even out a little. How to do it is up to each couple, but you have to talk about it and it has to feel good for both, says Madelén Falkenhäll.