Young Couples Keep Money Apart, and in Nearly Half of Marriages Wives Earn as Much or More
More than 70% still say it is very important for a husband to provide for the family.
The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway · "His Money Is Our Money, My Money Is Mine" — Scott Galloway Responds | Office HoursAbout 88% of Gen Z partners keep at least some money apart, compared with 70% of Millennials and 59% of Gen X. Separately, in 45% of straight marriages in the United States, wives earn as much or more than husbands, triple the share 50 years ago.
Views on sharing money are shifting more slowly than what couples actually do, said Scott Galloway, a business commentator answering a question about money in marriage. He cited the finding that "a little over 70% of adults say it's very important for a man to be able to support a family financially to be a good husband and partner."
Galloway said he believes in co-mingling money and has never had separate accounts, calling the practice strange. He added there is no right way, only what works for a couple, and the key is alignment around earning, spending and lifestyle.
Questions people ask
What does Galloway mean by alignment around money?
He means agreeing before marriage on expected lifestyle, who earns what, spending habits, and tradeoffs such as one partner working less. He also says he reviews finances regularly with a partner, because surprises are worse than difficult conversations.
Does keeping some money separate mean couples have no joint account?
No. About 23% of married couples have no joint account. The 88% figure for Gen Z measures a different group: partners who keep at least some money separate.