It's so easy to spot a couple that just got married. Even if they don't walk around like Siamese twins, they still have a twinkle in their eyes and a glow on their faces that lets you know who they are. Once the honeymoon is over, you have to deal with the problems of everyday life. A lot of time at work. Coming home to cook or wash dirty pots and pans. Paying the bills every month. Marriage is not like being on cloud nine all the time. It has its ups and downs, about the same number of each.
So, if you just got married and are looking forward to a happy life together, you should make sure you know how to deal with the problems that could come up in your relationship. And one of these thorns is money.
If you both have jobs, you'll have to figure out who should pay which bills. Be ready for long arguments about how much the phone and electricity bills cost. It's crazy how many fights start and end because of money. How can you make sure these fights don't happen as often? You might want to think about ways to help, like getting a joint credit card.
How do you get a credit card that two people share? It really isn't that hard. You could apply for such a card right away. You could also give the credit card company your spouse's information and ask them to add him or her to your current credit card account.
Sounds a lot like a joint bank account, doesn't it? But even though they are called the same thing, joint credit cards and joint bank accounts are not very similar. With a joint bank account, both people who signed for it are responsible for any debts that are made. With a joint credit card, however, only the person who signed for it first is responsible.
Those who are in a very stable marriage should definitely do this. But if you are the kind of person who gets married fifty or more times, I think you should stay away from this kind of account. If you risk annoying your spouse too much, he or she might go on a shopping spree to get back at you. This could leave you broke.
Even a joint credit card has its downsides, just like everything else. It is also a big step to make. Are you ready to make a promise like that? It's a big deal to share a credit card with someone else. Don't take such a big step unless you're sure you're ready for it.
