Husband ’33M’ suddenly started putting money into his own savings despite convincing me ’30F’ that we should put all out money together into joint account. Is this a red flag?

Imagine a newlywed couple, their dreams woven together in a shared bank account, only for one to quietly unravel the thread. For a 30-year-old woman, the glow of her one-year marriage dimmed when her husband, once adamant about pooling their finances, started slipping money into a personal savings account—without a word. His past betrayals, though non-financial, loom like shadows, making this secretive move feel like a crack in their foundation.

Her unease is palpable, a knot of doubt tightening with each unanswered question. Readers can feel the chill of her discovery, the sting of his hypocrisy, and the weight of wondering if trust can hold. As she questions whether this is a red flag, the story pulls us into a maze of love, money, and hidden motives—what would you do when promises start to bend?

‘Husband ’33M’ suddenly started putting money into his own savings despite convincing me ’30F’ that we should put all out money together into joint account. Is this a red flag?’

For context, we got married about a year ago and he did several things before marriage to betray me (these were not financial though). Then when we got married he promised he had changed and showed signs of positive changes.

Then he convinced me to put all our money together and have joint accounts which we did. After this, recently he started putting money into his own personal savings (without any communication with me and something he didn't want me to do previously) and I can't help but wonder if this is a red flag.

When I asked him about it he said he wants his own financial security but again, he didn't want me saving up on my own either and only wanted to save all the money together in the joint account.. Should I be concerned ? Is this a potential red flag? Any advice would be great!

Discovering your spouse is secretly saving money after pushing for a joint account feels like a bait-and-switch. The original poster (OP) is rattled, her husband’s unilateral move clashing with their agreed financial unity. His past betrayals amplify her suspicion, and his vague excuse about “financial security” rings hollow when he previously discouraged her from saving separately. This disconnect suggests a deeper issue: trust, already fragile, is now on shaky ground.

Financial transparency is critical in marriage. A 2022 survey by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling found that 65% of couples argue over hidden financial decisions, often tied to trust issues (nfcc.org). Dr. Terri Orbuch, a relationship therapist, notes, “Open communication about money builds partnership; secrecy breeds resentment” . The husband’s actions, while not necessarily malicious, undermine the OP’s sense of equality, especially given his controlling stance on her savings.

The OP should initiate a calm conversation, asking why he felt the need to save separately and how they can align their financial goals. A budgeting session with a financial planner could clarify shared priorities, like saving for a home or emergencies, while allowing personal accounts for autonomy. Broadly, society often overlooks how past betrayals shape financial trust, leaving couples to navigate these tensions alone.

To move forward, the OP might propose a hybrid system: a joint account for shared expenses and separate accounts for personal savings, with agreed contributions. If he resists transparency, it’s a sign to dig deeper

See what others had to share with OP:

The Reddit crew dove in like detectives at a crime scene, dishing out fiery advice and sharp warnings. Here’s their unfiltered take:

Sunshine-Day5535 − 'he did several things before marriage to betray me' ...and yet you married him. Now you're married to a man you don't trust. You're not looking for advice. You're looking for permission to do what you already know you need to do.

rosebud-2911 − Take your money out of the account asap and put into an account only you have access too.

HatsAndTopcoats − What is it going to take for you to believe you can't trust him?

FairyCompetent − Of course it is. Idk why you were so desperate to get married, but you made a huge mistake. Deposit your entire check into your own personal account, and only put enough of your own money in the joint account to cover your part of household expenses. Get your life together before he really starts to s**ew you over. 

RanaEire − I'm not sure why you are asking these questions, because I honestly don't understand *how* you're *not* concerned, OP.. Especially considering what you say about your husband's past.. Why would you even marry someone who 'betrays' you?. *Take your money back*.

Maleficent-Bottle674 − Take all your money out of the joint account and make your own personal savings.. This man is prepping to s**ew you over.

The_Lost_Boy_1983 − I think you know the answer and this is a bit fishy tbh. Best asking him outright. There might be something innocent however, you’d hope he’d be open about it.. It sounds a bit controlling too imho. Let us know how you get along.

CandiiiCaneLane − YES you should be concerned.. YES this is a red flag. You ignored all of the other red flags, but I hope that you won’t ignore this one. Your husband plans to leave you with nothing, or even worse, he’s meticulously taking away your ability to survive without him.

Open up your own account and take out half from the joint account PLUS an additional amount that equals the amount in his personal savings account. Make sure your check gets deposited directly into your personal account from now on.

After that contact a lawyer and file for divorce. If you insist on staying with this man, then after you have set up and funded your own account, you need to sit down with him and figure out your household budget, divide that in half, and that’s how much you both contribute monthly to a joint household account.

If you have a large difference in pay then you might want to take that into consideration. Whoever makes more money contributes a bit more to the joint account. If he doesn’t like this plan then you 100% know that this is a control move and you really do need to leave.

Soonretired1 − Take your money back NOW 🚩🚩🚩🚩🚩

Dark_Skin_Keisha − Baby take your money out that joint account pls like yesterday

These Redditors waved red flags high, urging the OP to protect her money and question her husband’s motives. Some saw his secrecy as a prelude to worse, while others suggested a practical split of finances. Their heated debate asks: is this a one-off misstep or a sign of deeper control? The crowd’s clear—trust needs rebuilding.

This story of hidden savings and past promises reveals the delicate dance of trust in marriage. The OP’s worry is a wake-up call: financial unity requires honesty, not control. By talking openly, she and her husband might realign—or uncover truths that demand tougher choices. What would you do if your partner broke a financial pact? Share your thoughts—how do you keep trust and money in harmony?

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