Shared finances or not.

Always had a joint account. When we first got married, I could not work due to a severe accident, and then we had our girls in quick succession. I was also required to be an unpaid after hours, night and week-end receptionist!

When I began to work, I actually opened my own bank account- and my salary was paid into that;) .... it was cheeky, I know- but after years of being dependent, it felt so good. We do pool everything though- and we often dig into my account for large purchases, holidays, etc.

A bit of a joke in the family that 'his money is our money' and 'mine is mine' lol.

'What's yours is mine and what's mine's my own' - a joke in our family too.

His money goes into our joint account for bills, food etc
My much smaller amount goes into my own account for some food, holidays (for both of us, of course), Christmas, clothes etc.

When we need to make a big purchase we juggle it between us.
It seems to work out fine.

Everything is in joint accounts. I used to have a national savings account which I called my 'running away money'. I closed it when national savings stopped being user friendly so now I won't be able to run away! We are both quite sensible with money and discuss large purchases.