This post is part of Women’s Money Week 2012. For more posts about Relationships and Money see Relationships and Money Roundup

When I was 17, I wanted nothing more than my own checking account. I started my first job and wanted a place to deposit my paychecks ( it would be years before my employer offered direct deposit) and a place where I could stash my money. Although I wasn’t necessarily a saver, I remember a checking account being so important to me and my new found adult self. I also remember saying that I would always have a separate checking account versus sharing only with my husband after seeing my mother struggle to find balance after a separation from my father left her a single parent.

Flash forward nine years, and here I am, 26 years old and with my own separate checking account from my long time partner of six plus years and I wouldn’t change a thing. I love my partner but I know separate checking accounts has really gotten us through. Why? A separate checking account forced me to not only become independent, but also helped me become financially savvy.

Today on Women’s Money Week, I write about the pro’s of having a separate checking account from your spouse. A lot of women feel that they don’t have a choice but to share a checking account and that’s simply not true. It’s also not true that it’s wrong to have your own checking account and I’m happy to be able to write about that today. Check out my article “ A Case For Maintaining Separate Accounts” for more info. Women’s Money Week is about empowering women and I’m letting you know that having you’re own checking account is not only okay, but sometimes best for you’re financial health!

What about you? Do you have your own checking account?

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