Dear Balance: One way to handle this situation is to have separate accounts, along with a shared account for household expenses. You could each contribute a set amount to the joint account for bills, while keeping your own spending money separate. This allows for your independence while still working as a team.

"Even though I earn as much — or sometimes more — than he does, I still feel like I have to justify my spending, while he treats our account like his personal ATM."

Lately, I’ve been struggling with my husband’s temper, and I don’t know what to do. When things don’t go his way -- whether it’s something small like dinner plans or something bigger like finances -- he lashes out.