Design a Fair Joint Household Budget for Two Incomes

You and your partner earn different amounts and the money talk keeps stalling. Give it both incomes, your joint costs and the personal money you each want, and this compares three contribution models: even split, by income, or a hybrid. You get a fair structure to decide on together, not a guess.

My partner and I want to create a joint monthly budget. My after-tax income is {PARTNER_1_INCOME} and my partner's is {PARTNER_2_INCOME}. Our joint monthly expenses are: {JOINT_EXPENSES_LIST}. We each want to keep {PERSONAL_SPENDING_AMOUNT} per month as individual 'no questions asked' money. Help us decide between three contribution models: (a) split 50/50 regardless of income, (b) split proportionally by income, (c) all income pooled into one joint account. For each model, show the exact dollar contribution from each partner, the pros and cons, and which model best suits a couple where one partner earns significantly more. Then recommend the model you think is fairest given our numbers and explain why. End with a one-page joint budget template using the recommended model.