How to Share Expenses with Your Partner or Flatmate Using a Shared Prepaid Card

Discover how a shared prepaid card can make living together — and managing expenses — simpler, fairer, and effortlessly modern

Let’s be honest — splitting expenses with someone else you live together can get awkward fast. Whether you’re sharing a flat in Berlin, living with your partner in Barcelona, or doing the digital nomad thing in Lisbon, keeping track of who paid for what can quickly become a spreadsheet nightmare.

Luckily, there’s a smarter, smoother way: using a prepaid shared card. It’s modern, fair, and totally built especially for how Millennials and Gen Z handle money — together but independent.

1. What Is a Shared Prepaid Card?

Think of it as a digital wallet that both (or all) of you can access. Everyone loads money onto the same prepaid card, which you then use for shared expenses — rent, groceries, Uber rides, Netflix, takeaway, you name it.

Unlike a joint bank account, a prepaid card doesn’t require merging your finances or dealing with traditional bank bureaucracy. You each just top up your share and spend transparently.

2. Why It’s a Game-Changer

1. Total Transparency

You can see every transaction in real time. No more “Wait, did you already pay the Wi-Fi bill?” moments.

2. No More Awkward IOUs

Forget chasing your flatmate for €12.47 from last night’s pizza. You both contribute upfront, so you’re always even.

3. Budget Control

Because it’s prepaid, you can’t accidentally overspend. Once the card runs out of balance, that’s it — a great way to keep shared spending in check.

4. Privacy Intact

It’s shared but not too shared. You still keep your own bank account and financial independence.

5. Perfect for Digital Lifestyles

A shared prepaid card in virtual form comes with a mobile app that let you track, top up, and manage spending in seconds. Even, Apple Pay or Google Pay is supported.

6. Difference to a Joint Account

Unlike traditional joint accounts, a shared prepaid card offers independence, simplicity, and transparency. Each person contributes their share without merging finances, spending is tracked in real time, and setup takes minutes — no paperwork or credit checks. With built-in limits, there’s no overdraft risk, and ending or adjusting the arrangement is effortless, making shared prepaid cards the modern, flexible way to manage money together

3. How to Set It Up

1. Pick a Provider – Choose a trusted Fintech platform that offers shared or multi-user prepaid cards.

2. Create a Shared Wallet – Invite your partner or flatmate as a co-user.

3. Top Up Fairly – Before Top Up decide on the budget and each person’s share (e.g. 50/50 or based on income).

4. Use It for Joint Expenses Only – Keep it simple: rent, utilities, groceries, streaming services, travelling or date-night dinners.

5. Review Monthly – Sit down and check spending habits. You might even discover new ways to save together.

4. Final Thoughts

Sharing expenses doesn’t have to feel like a maths exam or a trust exercise. A shared prepaid card gives you a clear, modern, and fair way to handle joint costs without losing your independence.

You need the right tools to make money talks empowering. So, next time you move in with your partner or find your new flatmate on Facebook, set up a shared prepaid card. In future you will thank you.

Check the Partly App: The mobile app that comes with a preloaded card built for people who live (and spend) together. It’s everything shared living should be: fair, simple, and fully under control!

If you want to learn more about the challenges of sharing expenses when living together read here.