Talking Finances with Your Partner

Before marching down the aisle (or even moving in together), discuss these potential financial minefields:

Bank accounts: Will you have joint or separate accounts? One solution: a joint account for paying bills and saving, and separate accounts for personal spending.

Paying the bills: Will expenses be split? If one partner earns more than the other, how will you deal with individual purchases?

Financial values: There are spenders (“You only live once”); builders (who see money as a tool to reach specific goals); givers (who spend freely on others, but often deprive themselves); and savers (the conservatives who worry about a rainy day). Where are you and your spouse on that scale? Are you able to compromise?

Talking about your financial expectations may not be the most romantic conversation you’ll have – but it might save your relationship.