How to track shared and individual spending as a couple

You do not need perfect categorisation — you need consistent rules for what counts as shared, and a place to see both views side by side.

Start with the full picture

Begin by listing what you own and what you owe, then connect the items you actually interact with month to month. When those two layers line up, surprises become rarer.

Keep it maintainable

Pick a cadence you will keep — monthly for active seasons, quarterly when life is calmer. Small updates beat a heroic annual overhaul.

What to do next

Choose one gap to close first: missing balances, unclear ownership labels, or upcoming obligations. Progress is easier when the next step is obvious.