Splitting bills with your partner: 10 questions to ask before going 50/50

Guest post by Emma - the smart money management app helping people take control of their finances, budget with confidence, and save towards the goals that matter most.

Talking about money with your partner can still feel scary, no matter how well you know each other. 

According to Loqbox research, 71% of people said that debt and money management has affected their personal relationships. ^[1] What’s at the root of the row? It could be down to fairness. 

Many of us default to a 50/50 split for rent, bills, or holidays without checking in with one another: “Is it affordable for you?”.

A straight split isn’t always realistic... 

With cohabiting couples now the fastest‑growing household type in the UK, more people than ever need to face the “money chat.” 

Done right, it’s judgment-free and all about building financial compatibility.

Here are 10 key questions that can help you decide whether splitting costs 50/50 is right for you and your partner.

1. What are our incomes, and how stable are they?

If one of you earns a steady salary while the other has fluctuating freelance income, a strict 50/50 split could leave one of you stressed each month. When you’re open about your income and job security, it helps you choose a fairer way to share expenses, like contributing a percentage of your earnings rather than straight halves.

2. What are our essential living costs, and do they fit comfortably into both budgets?

Add up rent, bills, food, transport, all the must‑haves. Then check whether splitting them 50/50 fits both incomes comfortably.

If one person is left with little extra to save or spend while the other has plenty, there’s an opportunity to listen, understand one another, and redo your budgets.

3. Do we combine all the money or keep some separate?

It’s up to you. Every couple draws financial boundaries differently. You could:

• Combine everything: joint account for all income and expenses, creating total transparency.
• Keep separate: each pays their share, with all other money remaining personal.
• Hybrid: share an account for essentials while keeping personal budgets separate.

None is inherently better. What matters is agreeability and trust. Some couples find combining every penny creates unity, while others prefer independence for day‑to‑day spending. Tools like Emma Spaces let couples strike a balance by setting up shared spaces for bills and personal spaces for independence.^[2]

4. Do we have debts, and how do they affect us as a couple?

Debt is often hidden, but it can weigh heavily on both partners. A 50/50 split may be unfair if one person is trying to repay credit cards or student loans. Talk openly about what you both owe and how it affects shared decisions.

Financial products, like mortgages or loans, can link your credit histories. That means your partner’s financial behaviour could affect yours. 

This is where tools like Loqbox can really help. If you’re tackling debt but also want to build financial resilience, Loqbox lets you save while growing your credit score.^[3] 

For couples, this can be a smart way of balancing the scales: one partner focuses on repayments while both build credit strength for future joint goals.

5. What are our short‑ and long‑term goals?

Are you saving for a deposit, building an emergency fund, or more interested in jetting off on adventures? Splitting bills doesn’t just affect monthly budgets - it impacts your future goals. Aligning your priorities makes it easier to find a system that works.

With some budgeting apps, like Emma, you can create separate pots for individual and shared goals - whether it’s “Summer Holiday,” a rainy‑day fund, or money towards your first home. This way, both of you can see progress while still contributing fairly to shared costs.

6. How do we feel emotionally about money?

Money is emotional. Some people see it mainly as safety, others as fun and freedom. If one of you is anxious about spending and the other is relaxed, you’ll likely clash on what feels fair.

Before agreeing on numbers, discuss your feelings about money. Sharing mindsets can help prevent misunderstandings - and strengthen empathy.

7. Do we understand how shared finances affect our credit?

Splitting bills is one thing, but have you thought about how sharing accounts can affect your credit histories? Many couples are surprised to learn that opening a joint bank account, applying for a shared loan, or even co‑signing a tenancy agreement can create a ‘financial association’.

That means your partner’s behaviour, whether it’s great habits or missed payments, could directly impact your credit score. 

For example, if one person forgets to pay a bill linked to a joint account, it can damage both credit files. Before you decide how to share money, discuss your boundaries.

If you’re looking to strengthen your credit record individually before tying it to someone else’s, Loqbox can help you build a healthier credit profile while you save. That way, you’re both protecting yourselves and your future goals.

8. Are we financially transparent with each other?

There could be lots of reasons why it’s difficult to share financial information with your partner.

Think carefully about whether you’re comfortable showing each other your budgets, debts, or big‑picture plans.

It doesn’t have to mean oversharing every purchase, but agreeing to honesty on the essentials builds trust.

Reflect on how you feel about money, and the moments that feel harder. Here are some questions you could ask that would open up the conversation and help you to make small changes: 

• Do you instinctively avoid conversations about earnings, debts, or spending?
• Is “forgetting” bills or contributions something that happens in your household?
• Do you avoid opening bank statements or info about your borrowing?
• Do you make big financial decisions invisibly, or are they shared? 

If you can nurture your relationship in the moments where you feel financial pressure, you’ll feel like a stronger team for it.

9. How will we adapt if circumstances change?

Life doesn’t go in a straight line, and things can change unexpectedly. Job changes, going back to studies, or becoming a carer. A 50/50 split doesn’t account for that.

Plan for change by deciding whether bills will always be proportional to income, or whether you’ll support each other through challenging seasons. Having the conversation early makes transitions less stressful later.

10. Are we willing to revisit the arrangement regularly?

What works today may not work next year. Salaries shift, goals evolve, rent changes, lifestyles grow. The healthiest couples treat their money arrangement as living, not fixed.

Set a “money date” to check in quarterly or annually. It could be as simple as reviewing contributions and discussing future goals. Reevaluating regularly keeps things balanced and resentment‑free.

The bottom line: Money talks strengthen relationships

Splitting 50/50 is easy, but sometimes it’s not the best fit.

Relationships are partnerships, and fairness means choosing balance over rigidity.

By asking these 10 questions, couples give themselves room for transparency, planning, and trust.

Talking about money isn’t about being transactional. It’s about understanding each other’s values and building shared futures.

Try these tools to make things easier:

Emma Spaces → Create shared spaces for bills while keeping financial independence.

Loqbox → Build healthy saving habits and improve credit, together or individually.

Money talks don’t need to be awkward. Normalise them, and you’ll build stronger relationships both emotionally and financially.

^[1] Loqbox and Censuswide, 2025, sample 1,000 UK general consumers. 

^[2] Emma Spaces is for 18+ only. Paid plan subscription fees and T&Cs apply.

^[3] Improvements to your credit score are not guaranteed. Missing payments to Loqbox or other credit accounts may harm your score.