Relationship is beautiful with all the lovey-dovey stuff and PDA here and there. It is also a way in which two people are connected with love. However, leaving out infidelity, one factor — Finances/Expenses, tends to cause serious problems among couples.

From the beginning of the relationship, it is typical that the man should pay for the first date in most cultures. But what happens after the first, second, third, tenth etc. People have different perspectives to life, and that is why finances/ expenses can be a difficult topic for couples, mostly the ones about to move in together.

Hence, the importance of straightening out finance-related issues in a relationship, especially how to share or split expenses. Having such discussions will help you understand your partner’s financial behavior and concept, so you guys can get on the same page.

According to Mind Money Balance, there are ways to split expenses with your partner, and they include:

The 50/50 Method

Going the equal halves route is a welcome idea for some couples. This method involves partners calculating the total expenses they incur monthly or over a period of time, and split the bills equally. This way, there are no arguments about anybody owing the other person. However, this method works best for couples that are within the same pay grade.

Income-Driven Method

This method is the opposite of the aforestated one. In this method, the couples split their expenses based on what each person earns. If one party’s income is higher than the other, they may have to agree on an unequal splitting percentage like 60% to 40% or 54% to 46%.

The key thing about splitting expenses between couples is communication. It is essential to talk about vital topics like this because it helps partners to get on the same page. Financial compatibility is a thing; so, it is better to settle such issues in the relationship early enough.