@ramblin_wreck08 wrote:
@webhopper wrote:
@ramblin_wreck08 wrote:
@webhopper wrote:
@Anonymous wrote:
Yeah. +1. I would just add her as an AU without issuing a card.I somewhat disagree with the statement that giving her a card will kill the relationship. I gave my husband a zync in Feb but we knew we were getting married end of may so no big deal. If you are serious about the relationship and you have plans to get married and/or combine finances then give her a card. If not then have her get her own secured card and maybe add her as an au without giving her the card
I am currently shopping for an engagement ring and we are going to combine finances once we tie the knot. I want to 1. Help her build her credit so it doesn't hold us back for home or car purchases in the future and 2. So she can learn to responsibly handle credit now so she doesn't get us into trouble in the future. For the time being, I was thinking about putting maybe a $250 or $500 limit on the card to help her grow into the responsible use of credit. Once we're married I can add her to some of my high limit cards with longer history to really boost her credit.
I think as long as you set the spending limit for something reasonable given her income then you will set her up for future success with credit and finance. Its best to include her in this conversation so that you don't give her a limit that will leave her frustrated. This can be a good segway into budget / goals / finance sort of conversations which I personally think are important to every relationship.
We had about a two hour talk about finances the other day and discussed a budget for the ring together. Thanks to all the responses on here, I believe I will discuss a limit with her and add her as an authorized user. I am also considering having her apply for a student card. It can't hurt, and maybe she could start building some history of her own.
If she gets an online account, will she be able to see my spending as well as hers? I plan to use my PRG to buy the ring, and want to make sure she doesn't see it on the card before I propose.
Congrats and good luck!!!
SOmeone correct me if I am wrong but she won't see your transactions and you won't see hers unless you set up notifications for her transactions, as the main cardholder. When I added my AU I did not see what they spent and they definitely did not see mine. I only get emails from purchases over X amount.
I wish I could be more informative but I don't have anything to add other than my husband does not have an online account but his bank account (which I am joint owner on) is set up as a pay from account. My 2 checking accounts (which he is joint on) are also set up as pay from accounts. I pay all the bills in the family... our zync bill is paid partially from his paycheck and partially from mine. The only caveat is that we discuss purchases over $50 that are wants not needs. In some cases we decide together that those wants should wait for a bit.... he trusts me to make sure everything gets paid and to know where our funds are going. I do a good job; a few mistakes here and there but for the most part we work well as a team.
Also; I might add that I can see; tag; and analyze his transactions. Tagging is great to keep track of itemized deductions.
my husband is au on all 3 amexes. He doesn't have the lowes or PRG in hand yet but I will update when I know whether I can see his PRG and Lowes transactions
FICO 8: 
Goal: Gardening!
Goal: Gardening!
Thanks everyone for all the congrats, advice, and information. It's very much appreciated. 
@ramblin_wreck08 wrote:Thanks everyone for all the congrats, advice, and information. It's very much appreciated.
Once upon a time, I'd say this is a great idea!
Now, I'd say be very careful. If it were me, I really would be reticent to co-mingle until after you're married (or, at least engaged). Things happen in life and the only thing assured is that life changes. If things were to not work out (hope they do, of course), co-mingling accounts, lease agreements, and joint accounts on credit cards all can lead to potential issues when a relationship is over, especially if accounts have been co-mingled for a long time.
If it were me, I'd avoid it. 20 years ago, I would have done it without thinking. Now, I would never do it.