Saving or building, which is more sensible?

I think work is simply very important.

It is. But you have to distinguish between fulfilling activity and mere job execution. Does your paid work mostly offer you the former? Then little vacation is not a problem. Is it more about Prussian duty fulfillment and money for you? Then you should take your vacation.

You don't have to go away on vacation. You can self-determinedly work on projects that bring you joy. Cook. Build a pizza oven. Prepare firewood for the whole year. Harvest potatoes. Etc. Vacation does not mean not working. Just not at the job.

Being self-determined also means not letting yourself be controlled by fears (about money and assets, for example).

Always these fundamental discussions about tax classes and man and woman. Are we still in 1968??? Man man and I am Serbian. It doesn't matter who has which tax class or who has what. At the end of the year, everything is settled with the tax office anyway. And in my relationship, it is selbstverständlich that there are joint accounts, debts, and property. The TE will have a hard time getting financing without a woman anyway.

Sure, theoretically it doesn't matter after the tax return. Nevertheless, unfortunately there are many men who theoretically say "it is OUR money" but often in concrete situations then say that they want XY now and after all they bring most of the money home and therefore get to decide. This doesn't even have to be explicitly stated, but it is often implied. And I think that this is not even malicious or conscious.. but it still conveys to the woman a correspondingly low appreciation of her work (whether at home with children or at a job). With the tax refund, it is also not so easy to see how much SHE has contributed to the total sum. I do think, however, that the problem will decrease as generations progress, in which it is more common throughout (all of) Germany that both work.

But with older people, where the man is the main breadwinner, it is often the case that the man, that is me, hardly cares about the money. Since we got married, she withdraws money, submits the transfer receipts, we do not do online banking, only with paper receipts, I get my allowance so that I have something on hand, we both have a card. I believe she never felt that it wasn't her money. At least I hope so. Karsten

With us: dual earners without children. Not married. Three-account system. Each has their own checking + overnight money account. Joint account for all fixed costs, which is funded at the beginning of the month by standing orders from both checking accounts and has a one-month reserve.

Completely simple, fair in OUR case, everyone can dispose of their free money as they see fit.

Joint purchases are planned, discussed, and paid 50/50 if agreed upon. That's it.

Not easily transferable to partners with children and one staying at home as a caregiver.

With us: dual earners without children. Not married. Three-account system. Each has their own checking + savings account. Joint account for all fixed costs, which is funded at the beginning of the month by standing orders from both checking accounts and holds a one-month reserve.

Completely simple, fair IN OUR case, everyone can dispose of their free money at their discretion.

Joint purchases are planned, discussed, and paid 50/50 upon agreement. End of story.

Not easily transferable to a partner with a child and one staying at home as a caregiver.

I'll allow that, but what do you do when you get married and/or have children? Also split? What happens with all the child costs?