Finance

Before Merging Your Finances: 5 Crucial Considerations

In relationships, couples make all sorts of agreements, from deciding which side of the bed to sleep on to divvying up chores like grocery shopping and laundry. However, Ramit Sethi, author of Money for Couples, notes that finances are often left out of these conversations. “Most couples never have meaningful discussions about money,” Sethi says. And when they do, it’s usually sparked by an issue, like an unpaid bill or an unexpected purchase.

A major financial decision that many couples face in long-term relationships is whether or not to merge their finances. This decision often comes up before big life milestones like moving in together, getting married, or having children, but it can also be triggered by situations like a partner losing their job or taking time off for school. Every couple will have their own reasons for or against combining bank accounts, and there are several ways to approach it.

Experts agree that this decision can stir up emotions like anxiety or shame, making it important not to take it lightly. “This is one of the most significant financial transitions we go through in life,” says financial therapist Amanda Clayman, “moving from a financial ‘me’ to a financial ‘we.’”

Do You Have a Clear Financial Picture?
Before considering merging finances, it’s crucial to have a clear understanding of each other’s financial situation. Be open about income, saving habits, debts, and plans for repayment or potential future debt, advises financial planner Natasha Knox.

Clayman explains that couples typically follow one of three financial arrangements: a one-pot system, where all money is pooled together; a two-pot system, where finances remain separate; or a three-pot system, where there’s a shared pot for joint expenses and individual accounts for personal autonomy. You could also consider opening separate joint accounts for specific expenses, like vacations or home renovations. Think carefully about the benefits and drawbacks of each approach.

TECH

China's A.I. Progress: Is It Time to Rethink U.S. Tech Control Policies?

Despite the U.S. efforts to limit China’s access to cutting-edge technology, particularly advanced chips from companies like Nvidia, China’s progress in artificial intelligence (A.I.) is accelerating at an impressive pace. DeepSeek’s A.I. models reveal the rapid strides China is making in this critical field, raising questions about the effectiveness of American tech control policies.

For years, the U.S. government has implemented export restrictions aimed at preventing China from acquiring high-tech components essential to A.I. development, hoping to maintain its technological edge. Yet, China has found ways to push forward, often by developing homegrown alternatives or by partnering with countries that are less restricted by American policies. This has led many to wonder: Are U.S. technology controls ultimately failing to stem the tide of China’s A.I. rise?

The U.S. has focused heavily on restricting China’s access to advanced semiconductor chips, particularly those made by industry leader Nvidia, given their importance in A.I. training and deployment. These chips are crucial for powering machine learning systems that underpin much of today’s cutting-edge A.I. technology. But despite these efforts, China’s A.I. sector continues to thrive, with companies making rapid advancements in areas like language processing, facial recognition, and autonomous vehicles.

The growing strength of China's A.I. industry could have significant global implications, not just for the balance of technological power, but also for the broader geopolitical landscape. As China continues to innovate and advance in A.I., it poses a challenge to the U.S.’s historical dominance in high-tech industries and raises important questions about the future of technology regulation and global competition.

This shift could mark a turning point in the ongoing U.S.-China tech rivalry. Will the U.S. be able to maintain its technological leadership, or is China on track to reshape the future of artificial intelligence? The answer may depend on how both nations navigate the evolving landscape of technological control and innovation.

As the U.S. continues to grapple with how to handle China’s A.I. rise, experts are debating whether more aggressive control measures or a shift in approach is needed to respond to this rapidly changing global tech environment.

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CRYPTO

Heavyweight Hedge Fund Elliott Blames Trump Policies for Crypto Boom

One of Wall Street's most influential hedge funds has reportedly criticized the Trump administration for fueling the cryptocurrency frenzy, which it believes could ultimately harm investors.

Elliott Investment Management, a $70 billion activist fund led by Paul Singer, described in a letter to clients that it has “never seen a market like this,” according to a report in the Financial Times. The hedge fund highlighted that cryptocurrencies are at the center of the market excitement, which also includes soaring interest in artificial intelligence and high stock valuations. They compared investor behavior to that of a "crowd of sports bettors" and noted the significant influence of crypto’s “perceived proximity to the White House.”

Bitcoin, the leading cryptocurrency, has risen approximately 55% since the U.S. presidential election, surpassing $104,000. However, Elliott appears skeptical that these price gains will last. The fund warned of an “inevitable collapse” in crypto prices, which it believes could lead to unpredictable consequences.

The crypto industry has been closely watching President Donald Trump, who proposed the idea of a U.S. strategic bitcoin reserve during his campaign. Last week, he signed an executive order to establish a crypto working group to explore the possibility of a national digital-asset reserve.