Is a joint account a sign of commitment?

Not necessarily. Some couples maintain separate accounts for 30 years and have great relationships; others go fully joint and have poor communication. Account structure reflects practical preference, not relationship depth. What matters is transparency and agreement, not the structure itself.

What's the hybrid account approach?

Each partner has a personal account for discretionary spending (guilt-free money they control). Both contribute to a joint account for shared expenses (mortgage, utilities, groceries). This balances autonomy with partnership. Each person knows exactly what's "theirs" to spend without judgment.

What if we have vastly different incomes?

This needs explicit agreement. Option 1: Proportional contribution (each pays for shared expenses based on percentage of income—60/40 earners contribute 60/40). Option 2: Equal shares regardless of income (requires the higher earner to contribute more toward their partner's independence). Option 3: Completely separate with split expenses. Discuss early; don't assume.