The secret to splitting the mortgage without splitting up.

There are many good things that come out of starting a life with your partner: winter is more bearable, someone else picks up treats on the way home and you can make recipes for two without having to eat both serves yourself.

Bliss.

What isn’t so blissful is having to negotiate who pays for what when one earns six beans and the other earns three beans but both water the house plant called Joan equally.

So we’re on the same page as a guy on Reddit who’s struggling with how to budget his future life with his future partner.

“With the differing levels of income and debts, it’s a little vague on how to split up financial responsibility between the two of us while still supporting one another,” he said.

And did that get the people talking.

Combining finances might be efficient, it's also risky, said one writer.

"If you combine your finances now you can be more effective in reaching your financial goals together, but you run the risk of having a complicated mess if this goes south," they wrote.

And even more complicated if contributions aren't divided divided fairly.

The secret to sorting out this unholy mess? Percentages.

Stay with me here.

It might work out to be more equitable if both partners contribute 50 per cent of their beans towards the mortgage.  Sarah would contribute three beans (because she earns 6) and Tom would contribute two beans (because he earns 4).

Although this means Sarah is technically paying more, the contribution is equitable.

Watch as Mamamia takes you through some savvy saving solutions. Post continues after video.

Many Redditors like the all-in approach to dividing finances and say just share an account that all income goes into.

"If she is your fiancee and will eventually be your wife, I'd just lump it all together -- income and debt. Deal with it like you are already married," one user said.

"My wife and I did that; No regrets. We're a team. Other people's mileage may vary though," another said.

A third user said "all-in" worked for couples of differing salaries so long as all income was poured into the one account.

"Wife and I did this soon after getting married. Really regretted not doing it earlier. Before this it was a bit of "you paid for that, so I'll pay for this" rubbish," he said.

"We had worried that different salaries would cause an issue (€80k and €50k) but within one month it was all just "our money". All income into one account, all bills, savings and spending out. Everything is so much easier now."

There may not be an approach to splitting finances that works for all couples but what will work is being kind, considerate and patient with each other as you decide what works for you.