<prompt> Human: BACKGROUND: I got married almost 2 months ago. My wife and I have decided to keep our finances separate for the time being while she finishes paying off some debt and improving her credit score. But...I was thinking that maybe it would be beneficial to open one joint account just for groceries and going out to dinnerbars money. Last month we spent over 500 on groceries and over 300 on going out. Part of it is I think we spend too much on booze so thats an issue of its own, but also I think putting everything on a credit card makes it easier to spend more without thinking. So if I set up a joint checking account where we both have debit cards, and at the beginning of the month we both put cash in from our seperate accounts to budget for groceries and going out money for that month - say 500 or whatever...do you think that would help control our spending? Would having a joint checking account have any ill effect on me because of her credit score about 650, mine is more like 750?  <response>: checkingsavings accounts do not affect your credit.the only thing that will control your spending is you. what happens when on the 20th your 500 is gone and you need groceries? 