When you’re dating someone special, you likely don’t have a problem divulging quite a bit of information about yourself. But when it comes to finances, you might close up and not want to talk about money because it’s an uncomfortable topic that can lead to arguments.
But what if you’re planning on marrying the person that you’re dating? Shouldn’t you talk about your finances together? After all, financial issues are one of the main reasons why so many couples break up and get divorced. In fact, according to a survey that was conducted by SunTrust Bank, finances are the biggest cause of stress, friction, and disagreements amongst couples.
The best way to prepare for your married life together, and the merging of your financial accounts, is by figuring out if you and your partner are financially compatible with one another. The guide below will assist you in getting a sense of your financial compatibility so that you can both be certain that money won’t ever come between you.
Predict Financial Compatibility by Answering Simple Questions
It may come as a surprise, but predicting your financial compatibility with your partner can be done by answering just a few simple questions. Remember that, when it comes to maintaining a healthy relationship and healthy finances, honesty is important, so don’t hide the truth.
The questions below will give you a clearer picture of one another’s financial habits, and give you a better idea of how you’ll be able to handle your finances together:
- Are you comfortable with merging your bank accounts and sharing all of your money, or do you think it is best to keep your accounts separate?
- How will you be spending your income every month? Do you and your partner find it easy to cut corners whenever it’s necessary to do so?
- Are you both in agreement when it comes to how and when to use credit cards?
- Do you feel that putting a limit on credit card spending every month is sometimes necessary?
- Will you be a dual income household, or will one of you act as the breadwinner?
- Are you both okay with one of you being the top earner, or does that make you feel uneasy, insecure, etc.?
- Will one or both of you be working on managing your financial accounts, from your checkbook to your credit cards?
- How much money do you plan on saving on a whole for your future?
- Do you hope to rent your home together, or are you hoping to purchase real estate? What is your plan for going about doing so?
Answering these questions together, perhaps by writing your answers privately first or just discussing them over coffee, will show you where you both agree, as well as where you disagree and need to work together to come to a conclusion that works for both of you. Remember that, just because you disagree certainly doesn’t mean that your relationship will not work in the long run.
Dealing with Disagreements
The best way to approach financial disagreements is by listening to each other’s concerns. Then come to a resolution that works for both of you. Once you are able to do that regarding your finances, you’ll know that you’re a couple that’s strong enough to do the same when it comes to other disagreements that you will inevitably encounter.
However, if you find that you have talked for a long time and neither one of you is willing to budge on financial disagreements, it may actually be better to go your separate ways now before you get deeper into your relationship and end up hurting one another in the future.
Financial Intimacy
Suze Orman, who is a famous financial advisor, has stated that couples need to firmly establish financial intimacy in order to be able to stay together for the long run without letting money issues get in the way.
While you don’t have to earn the same income as your partner, or even exhibit the same spending habits, financial intimacy does mean that you will be able to respect and understand one another despite your differences.
The key is to enjoy open and honest discussions, have patience, and be ready to compromise. In this way, your financial intimacy will help you overcome your differences.
Working Together
In the end, the best way to effectively predict your financial compatibility as a couple is by discussing money issues, spending and saving habits, and your aspirations for the future. If you can speak openly and without any fear of judgment, you will be able to work together as you build your beautiful future as a couple.
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