The average method
Your partner takes home a steady $4,000. You freelance and made $2,500, $5,500 and $4,000 over the last three months: an average of $4,000. The split stays 50/50 until the next review, even if one month is higher or lower.
Three options
| Option | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Rolling average | Percentage from a 3 to 6 month average | Most freelancers |
| Floor plus true-up | A fixed minimum, adjusted quarterly to actual income | Very irregular income |
| Month by month | Percentage from that month’s income | Only if you enjoy the math |
A worked example
Shared costs are $5,000. Your partner earns a steady $6,000 and your average is $4,500: the rule gives 57% and 43%, or $2,857 and $2,143. If your average rises to $6,000 one quarter, you move to 50/50.
The shared buffer
Setting aside one to three months of shared costs in a joint savings pot prevents arguments when a month is slow. Refill it in good months.
What Couplesplit does
In Couplesplit you can change the rule whenever you need to, and it applies from then on without rewriting past months. Fair split shows both of you the current rule, and the twice-monthly balance helps when income arrives on different dates.
Questions
Which income should a freelancer use?
The average of what you keep after taxes over the last three to six months.
What if I earn nothing one month?
With the average or floor method, your contribution stays the same and the shared buffer covers it. If it lasts, revisit the rule.
How often should we recalculate?
Every three months balances fairness and simplicity.