Having trouble bringing up the topic of money with your significant other? These questions will get the ball rolling. Explore one or two topics at a time, and by the end of the list, you and your partner will have a better understanding of your relationship with money.

What are you pleased about with your current financial life? Focusing on the positive before the negative can set an optimistic tone for your conversation.

What are your most lasting memories of money as a child? What you learned from your parents about money will influence your attitudes and behavior as an adult. (That's something to think about if you're raising kids of your own.)

What do you think is the most important thing money can provide for you? Someone who answers self-worth, friendship, or love might be a spender, while someone who says security may be more focused on saving. What would you do if you won $100,000 in the lottery tomorrow? Why not a million? Because $100,000 is a very realistic amount for you and your partner to build together. Shouldn't you know how each person would want to spend it?

What is your biggest money worry? Maybe your partner isn’t mad because you spent money on shoes—again. Deep down, he may be worried about your long-term savings or losing his job. Use this question to get to the root of potential issues before they become problems.

What are your top three savings priorities, in order of importance? This will help identify both of your goals—and how you’ll reach them.

If we had to cut back on spending, what three areas would you choose to cut back in? What three areas would you avoid cutting? Again, this can help identify your priorities and help you uncover ways to save.

Is there anything you don’t understand about money that you want to investigate further? Chances are you both have questions. Find out what they are and contact Summit to get them answered.

What is your attitude toward debt? This is a particularly important topic to discuss, since debt can be the cause of heated arguments and serious money troubles.

Where would you be most likely to put your savings: under the mattress, in a blue-chip stock mutual fund, or into the latest high-tech IPO (initial public offering)? Understand each other's risk tolerance and structure your investments so that one of you isn't always losing sleep over them.