separate accounts, or both. Seemed like a good number answered BOTH.

For those that have both, is it simply a practical issue? In our case, in China, you can't have a joint account, so we both get paid to our own personal accounts. We also both use funds from those accounts for joint activities and expenses. We just decide who will pay it, or she transfers some to my account and I do pay them all.

But for others, are there different reasons? I know that my cousin sent his daughters off with $5000 in a separate account. It was meant to provide a fund that they could use anytime in the event they needed to 'escape' their husbands. Many women don't leave bad situations because they believe they can't afford it. $5000 buys a lot of piece of mind and will allow good time and distance should the need arise.

In other cases, I have had friends who only use a joint account for joint expenses, and funnel funds from their personal accounts to pay 'their share'.

Anyway, it's an interesting situation to consider.