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How To Have A Successful Money Marriage

June 8, 2017 Money. It can be a complicated thing. Especially for couples (and certainly for recently or soon-to-be married couples). Since we’re in the middle of wedding season, we’ve put together a few tips to help you have a successful money marriage and cash in on communication, transparency and teamwork. Here we go! Why so complicated? A 2016 University of Wisconsin study of 100 married couples over a 15-day period found that while money wasn’t the most common source of arguments, it was the hardest to resolve (and by far had the biggest repercussions). So, what makes money so complicated in the first place? Ultimately, there is a lot of passion and work that goes into money. Not only does it offer a form of validation in the work that we do, but when it comes to couples, it can also signify – whether true or not – who’s made more sacrifices, who works longer hours, etc. This, in part, is the reason it becomes so difficult for couples to navigate. Not because it’s the most frequent problem, but because conversations over money (e.g., who’s spending what, whose money is used for what), are the most frequent conversations that are left unresolved. The money talk. While it may sound daunting at first, this is a major factor in ensuring you two stay on the same page … and can also help hold everyone accountable. Openly discussing salary, goals and what each partner is comfortable spending, saving, etc., will let you both know where the other stands and allows you to set goals and guidelines from there. A few money moves. So, what can you do right now? Maybe you’ve been married for decades and could use some work on your financial marriage. Or, maybe you just got married last week and want to get started on the right foot. Here are a few tips that could help:
  • Joint bill accounts: Create a joint checking account for bills that you both contribute to. That’s only fair, right? This creates a feeling of teamwork and that you’re both pulling your own weight.
  • Automatic contributions: Set up auto-pay for long-term goals (e.g., college savings, retirement contributions, etc.). This will help you rest easy as you “check the boxes” and make sure you’re using your money for long-term goals, too.
  • Spending cash (not credit): Each partner should have some. Take the time to set up a budget and come to an agreement on an equal amount for spending or “fun” cash for each partner.
      Pro tip: Whatever amount you allot each other, withdraw that just in case, so you know you don’t overspend. Getting back in touch with a dollar bill is never a bad thing. We now pronounce you happily money married. Try these tips as you navigate your new financial life together and keep coming back to the for more financial resources. You might also be interested in Q: Our daughter was just born. What should we be thinking about financially? A: Your question around what to think about money-wise shows great parental wisdom. A good start is to envision what you hope she will feel in her own relationship with money in her lifetime. No one wants their kids to be fearful or ill-equipped to handle their money, but we need to envision what we do want for them if we want them to be successful. Picture your daughter responsibly handling money with comfort, contentment, enjoyment and confidence, and take actions to help her make that happen. The holidays can be stressful & that’s why it’s important to prioritize your self-care. Use these tips to reduce stress without draining your bank account. As you prepare for this new chapter of your life as a parent, make sure you are saving to cover the costs of having a baby with our financial planning checklist. The kids will be heading back to school before you know it. Yes, it’s hard to think about backpacks and calculators when you’re swatting mosquitoes and soaking up after-dinner sunlight. But follow these tips to manage spending now and you’ll get to relax and enjoy the rest of summer. More than 25 percent of people in committed relationships admit they tend to avoid money talks. But whether you’ve been with your spouse for years or you and your partner are just starting to think about how your financial decisions affect one another, it’s empowering to talk about your money and financial goals. Ready to have the talk? If your to-do list is growing at the same rate your holiday budget is shrinking, your kids have a bad case of the “gimmes” and you’re wishing you could be just sick enough to stay in bed endlessly re-watching A Christmas Prince, there’s still time to slow this holiday madness down. ‘Tis the season of giving! Giving back doesn’t have to hurt your wallet. Find out how you can make a difference in your community this holiday season. Watching your parents get older is hard and it’s easy to put off having big talks about issues like their finances and end-of-life preferences. But if you don’t have those talks, you won't know how they’d like things handled and, frankly, you might not be able to help without a lot of legal hassles. Summer celebrations don’t have to break the bank. Our four-step plan means affordable holiday fun. Summer’s here, hooray! After months of cold and unexpected snow, it’s time to kick back and enjoy with some fun summertime celebrations.  But as you get ready to kick off the season, don’t leave your money smarts behind. Here are four steps that can help. 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