Even after Jim and I got married, we generally kept our finances separate. It was from habit, mostly, since we’d dated for many years before that. There just didn’t seem to be a hurry to combine those.
We each pay half the mortgage each month and split up the bills, but when the insurance payment came in it was the first check with both of our names on it. Since this came along attached to a future remodeling project in the basement, we decided it would be a good opportunity to open a joint bank account.
So, we made an appointment and arrived at the bank with two forms of ID each and a check with both of our names on it.
The assistant manager greeted us warmly and seemed genuinely happy to help us with the new account. She worked quickly on the requisite paperwork and chatted amiably about what we did for a living and how long we’d had our house.
She was either genuinely interested in us or faked it well enough that she seemed friendly.
I’m really fine either way.
In short order, she had the new account set up and the deposits made. And she also helped Jim order new checks.
Lastly, she set us up as beneficiaries on each other’s accounts – in case something happened. Which was great of her to notice and thoughtful to suggest.
And then we were on our way with a stack of paperwork and a promise that the online system would sync up with our regular accounts in a few days.
It was remarkably easy and efficient. Feels like we hit a milestone and I love that for us.