When I was dating my girlfriend, our accounts were separate. When we got married all accounts were joined - there's one pot of money that we both dip into. I don't have to ask if I can get a new gun/reel/fishing trip to Belize/Etc. She doesn't have to ask before spending what she wants. We've been married for 22 years now and what works best for us may not work for others. There's more than one way that marriages work. I like our method, I'm happy others like their method.