As Valentine’s Day rolls around, you may be thinking about ways to bring some extra romance into your relationship. Maybe you’re placing an order for flowers or making a dinner reservation. But “talking about money” probably didn’t come to mind. It may not seem romantic, but getting clear about your financial goals and current situation could make your partnership better.
Our individual relationships with money are deeply personal. In fact, 39% of adults1 avoid discussing money with their significant other altogether. However, 35% of adults2 in committed relationships said that openly discussing finances with their partner had a positive impact on their relationship as a whole. Discovering the ways you and your partner think similarly about money — and the ways you differ — can help pave the way for smooth communication. Learning how to talk about finances before marriage is important to both your financial wellbeing and your overall relationship.
But once you’re ready to start the financial conversation, what should you discuss? If you’re looking for financial questions to ask your partner, here are some topics to consider discussing.
Accounts
Will you merge your finances when you get married? If so, how? There are many different schools of thought about this topic, but it’s important to make sure that you and your partner are on the same page about sharing money or bank accounts. While it may feel uncomfortable at first, it’s also important to speak openly and honestly about potential wage differences and how you plan to navigate them.
Questions to ask:
- Will we keep our accounts separate, merge them together, or create a new account for us as a married couple?
- How do we plan to navigate wage differences, both now and if/when they change in the future?
Debt
Debt is a dealbreaker for some individuals, and others carry debt out of necessity or out of habit. Be honest with your partner about any existing debt you have, how you plan to pay it off, and how much debt you’d feel comfortable taking on in the future. Keep in mind that mortgage debt and credit card debt can be very different issues.
Questions to ask:
- Do you have any debt right now? Are you comfortable with my debt (if applicable)?
- What kind of debt would you feel comfortable taking on in the future? How much?
- Do we need to make a plan for getting out of debt as a couple?
Retirement
It’s hard to make wise financial decisions without considering your long term plans and goals. Consider your own retirement accounts, from your employer or otherwise, and ask your partner to do the same. Consider your retirement goals and plans to the best of your ability, factoring in things like relocation, lifestyle after retirement, and money you’d like to save for your children and their education.
Questions to ask:
- What retirement accounts do you currently have? Would you like to open any additional accounts together?
- What are your financial goals after retiring? How much would you like to save?
- What are your plans after retiring? Where would you like to live? What do you want to do?
Budgeting
A budget may feel restrictive, but it can actually offer a lot of reassurance. Creating a budget together offers you the ability to get a firm grasp on your financial reality. In most relationships, one person is likely to have more saving tendencies and the other person is likely to have more spending tendencies. It’s healthy to acknowledge this and find a financial plan that works for both of you.
Questions to ask:
- How much of our income can/should we save?
- What are our monthly expenses, and how will we pay them?
Remember, talking about money with your partner doesn’t have to be scary. In fact, it can set you up for a better future, a stronger relationship, and a happier life together. Working with a financial advisor can also help you and your partner navigate each of these areas we discussed today with clear counsel and direction. Contact us to discover financial advice that can help you and your partner better prepare for your future.
The foregoing information has been obtained from sources considered to be reliable, but we do not guarantee that it is accurate or complete, it is not a statement of all available data necessary for making an investment decision, and it does not constitute a recommendation. Any opinions are those of SageSpring Wealth Partners and not necessarily those of Raymond James. Expressions of opinion are as of this date and are subject to change without notice.
