Being in a relationship with someone you love and who loves you back is a wonderful thing. Especially if you’re at the point where you’re planning a future together. Apart from love, there are some crucial things to sort out before getting married. One of them is money.
Talk
The biggest money mistake in relationships is not talking about it. You need to know your partner’s mindset about money, their spending habits, their financial history and their current debt status. Don’t assume everything will be automatically smooth just because you’re in love. Both of you need to be on the same page before getting married. Otherwise, unmet expectations will bring frustration.
Emergency Funds
Life doesn’t always go as planned, so not having an emergency account is unwise. Discuss how you will contribute money to this fund. It doesn’t have to be complicated, you can start small and build it up over time.
Secrets
Keeping secrets about anything in a relationship is never a good idea. They always blow up in your face. Be open with each other about financial decisions- before making them. Springing a surprise on your partner about a major decision you’ve made can breed feelings of being overlooked. Disclose any obligations you may have such as child support from a previous relationship, or supporting dependents.
Be Clear
You should have a candid discussion of who will handle what. Divide future financial duties fairly between yourselves. Decide who will pay what bills, when and how to keep track of the same. Don’t go into a marriage with attitudes you’ve grown up with about which partner takes up which responsibility, assuming that your partner shares the same beliefs.
Joint Account
Married couples are advised to have a joint account as a way of maintaining unity. However, this isn’t something to be done in a rush. Instead, try different ways of handling finances to see what works for you.
