Jade has no idea how much money is in her husband's account.
And he's in the dark about the balance of hers.
The couple from Boorlo/Perth share three children under the age of 10, but not a bank account.
Jade, who asked we don't use her surname, works four days a week in project management. She pays for the family's groceries, holidays, and the children's expenses including daycare fees, sports, and clothing.
Her husband, who is employed full-time in operations, covers the mortgage, and bills including utilities and insurance.
"I understand some people may find this weird or not agree with this approach," 41-year-old Jade says.
Financial adviser Kate McCallum says people might be surprised how common it is for couples to keep finances separate.
But she and other experts say there are important things to consider if you take this financial route.
A note on financial abuse
Financial abuse happens when someone is excluded from financial decision-making or restricted from accessing money that is rightfully theirs.
If you or someone you know is experiencing financial abuse, reach out to national domestic, family, and sexual violence service 1800 RESPECT for support.
Why people choose split finances
Family lawyer Gabriella Pomare says homes having dual income earners and fewer women being "financially dependent on a man" means separate financial arrangements have "become a part of modern-day coupling".
"Independence is now a concept instilled into people from childhood through to adulthood, and so unsurprisingly there is a greater urge to keep finances separate."
She adds that most couples she sees with this agreement at least contribute to a "joint kitty".
"But otherwise, what's yours is yours, and what's mine is mine … rightly or wrongly."
Relationships Australia NSW CEO Elisabeth Shaw says many people marrying or committing later in life may have "good reason" to keep assets or finances separate.
She suggests it may be as simple as wanting a level of privacy over their spending, for example when buying presents for the other person.
"Of you just want to have your hobbies or social life without having to [consult about that spending]."
Ms McCallum says it's often motivated by a desire to feel in control.
"'I want control over my money or my own independence, I don't want to have to negotiate or ask for things that I want'.
"Or there is a desire for asset protection; 'I came into this relationship with a certain number of assets and … I want to ensure I get to take that away if anything happens'."
For Jade, it's about sharing the mental load of finances.
"[This way] we have our own accountabilities and work like two pieces of a puzzle rather than one person carrying the load for both people."
What does it mean legally?
Legally speaking, Ms Pomare says keeping finances or assets separate doesn't necessarily protect them if the relationship breaks down.
What you'll get in a property settlement will depend on the individual circumstances of your family. There are many competing contributions — both financial and non-financial — at play, says Ms Pomare.
A fair and equitable arrangement?
Difficulties can arise in these type of financial set-ups when financial equity in the relationship is not achieved, Ms Shaw says.
"If one person has a huge salary and the other person doesn't, and they go 50/50 on common expenses and the other person isn't left with very much — that is an issue of equity and fairness."
Financial equity in a relationship can be reached in different ways.
For example, if a woman takes unpaid time off work to care for a child while the partner continues working, the partner could contribute to the mother's superannuation to ensure she doesn't fall behind.
Ms Shaw says an example of it working well is when there is a joint account where salaries go in, and there is an agreement on what comes out for each person's separate interests.
Transparency is key
Research shows choosing not to pool finances can attribute to marital distress.
Ms Shaw says there are people who hold the belief that not sharing everything, including money, is a threat to intimacy.
"People who feel reactive to separate finances start to feel afraid there is something underhanded happening, or maybe the other person is not really fully in the relationship, or that there is a lack of generosity."
Ms McCallum says that won't be the case for everyone, but to avoid it, couples need to be clear on their money values, goals and priorities, and make sure that is an ongoing conversation.
"The things that [successful] couples have put in place to make this work [is] absolute transparency.
"Even though they are running independent finances, they each know what they earn. They each know where the money goes."
At least one joint bank account is ideal
Both Ms Shaw and Ms McCallum recommend a joint account for certain bills and expenses to avoid tension and the need to constant discussions and reconciliations.
You don't want to be hitting one another up for $20 to cover half of the nappies you bought that day, Ms Shaw says as an example.
"That really weighs the relationship down."
If you and your partner are butting heads over finances, seeing a couples counsellor and financial advisor can help.
Jade says she and her husband do a "sanity check" every now and then to make sure the arrangement is still working for them.
"I'm savvy with grocery shopping, he questions whether we need Netflix and Binge, or if we can do better on our insurance."
This is general information only. You should consider obtaining independent professional advice in relation to your particular circumstances.