MrsGGB and I have always completely shared finances starting when we bought our first house 9 months before we got married. It was always our money, not his and hers. I think the shared responsibility has helped more than hindered our R, although there were some rough starts at the beginning (me being a penny-pincher, saver, and careful to balance the accounts down to the penny, and her never bothering to balance her checkbook, spending on credit without thinking about how she was going to pay for it, etc). When she got her first job, she was making more than I was (I was an Air Force officer), but I had savings and no debt other than the house where she had a sizeable student loan and credit card debt. Now she's a SAHM, and I know she at times feels guilty at times spending money because "she isn't bringing any home". Still, I think keeping our finances separate would not have fostered a team feeling. I too am surprised by how common separate finances seems to be.
