Talking Money Before Marriage

Before you get ready to say ‘I do,’ you need to plan how you’re going to handle personal finances as a couple. Make sure you’re on the same page about money – and if not, how to get there.

Money is the leading cause of disagreements among couples – it doesn’t matter if you are dating, newlyweds, or even married for decades, money is always an issue.

Start the conversation with the basics:

• How much money do you have?
• How much money do you owe?
• What’s your credit score?

And then work into the crucial information about their habits and behavior.

Spending Habits.

Opposites attract! An over spender is often paired with a chronic saver. Talk about your spending habits and assess the situation. Try to understand their spending or saving habits, and what their expenditures mean to them.

Financial Obligations.

Come clean about all monetary arrangements, such as child support, alimony, charity, or contributions to relatives. Make sure to discuss credit card and student loan rates.

Goals.

Do you have short-term or long-term financial goals? Now is the time to share those in detail with your significant other. Determine if you share common goals, and if not, establish those joint goals. Try to set a plan for children and buying a home. Determine how much you want to save and what retirement goals you may have.

If you want to do one thing and he/she wants to do another, look to see where you can work together to save money for both. Money will unfortunately always be an issue in a relationship, but as long as you put it all out on the table, you can accommodate both of your needs.

Our team can help with these goals. Stop by a branch to speak with a financial representative today.