Money Mindset

Discussing inherent beliefs about money is paramount to getting on the same page as your partner. Were you raised to think that money will always be there? Or were you brought up with the belief that money is hard to come by and requires hard work? Examining the role that money plays in your life is the key to unlocking your main attitudes about money.

Determine if your view of money encompasses ideas like security and happiness. Are you or your partner prone to stashing away every cent compulsively? Or do you consider money as a direct way to provide happiness? Are you both the type to treat yourself in the moment?

Getting clear on the answers to these questions are the first steps to getting to the root of your relationship with money. Agreeing on having a positive outlook on money is a great place to start.

Debts and Resources

Being transparent and opening up about your financial situation is a critical component of marriage. A good foundation begins with building trust. Getting “financially naked” ensures that you and your partner will have little to no surprises down the road regarding any issues with debts and resources.

Debts

An almost inevitable factor in the current dating pool is that an increasing number of people are likely to have student loan debt. Just because you may be starting off your marriage with debt doesn’t mean it has to stay that way.

Narrowing things down like account balances and interest rates will help to gather an inventory of the debt that needs to be handled. Discuss and determine the ways each of you manage and repay debts. In doing so, you may find a strategy that works well for both of you going forward.

Resources

Marriage can have many financial benefits, especially when it comes to filing taxes. Getting serious about long-term financial goals includes talking about resources. Take into consideration things like income, assets, savings, and investments. Are you both regularly contributing to a 401(k) or stock portfolio? Are you the sole heir in nana’s will? These are important questions for planning out the golden years as well as seeing a clear picture of the financial foundation your marriage will be built upon.

Family Planning

Planning for children is not only a major life decision, it is a financial one as well. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, it will cost about $233,610 to raise a child born in 2015 from birth to age 17. The cost of day care versus having a stay at home parent is not included in this projected cost. Your region and the rate of inflation will factor in to the ultimate monetary cost of raising a family. Deciding on whether or not to expand your family will weigh greatly on your joint financial goals and strategies.

Looking at financial matters with your partner through a magnifying glass may seem overwhelming at first. Having differing viewpoints is not the end of your relationship. The tiny details will fall into place once there is a clear destination ahead. Staying on track with your partner regarding finances will help reduce stress and build problem-solving patterns to fall back on for all future matters.