Three Tips for a Happy-Money Marriage
When married couples fight, money is often the root cause. Even the happiest of couples have had a few heated conversations over the family budget. But finances don’t have to be a strain on your marriage. To help you along the way, we’ve laid out a few tips on how to manage your money responsibly and enjoy a happy marriage, together:
Talk the talk. Many couples avoid talking about money before they tie the knot, while some say they still don’t talk about finances once they are married. This could put you in a bad position quickly, because you might not find out your financial strategies and habits don’t align until it’s already a problem. Get in front of the potential issue by taking the time to chat about your finances as soon as possible. Discussing family financial strategies is the only way to get on the same page.
Transparency Is key. Both spouses should have some level of access to the other’s primary checking and savings accounts, along with credit card spending and cash withdrawal records. Being transparent about spending up front will keep you both from encountering any surprises down the road. Additionally, approaching money together could help you achieve your financial goals and milestone purchases faster, like finding that first family home or buying a new car.
Be a team. While financial transparency is key, remember that marriage, one way or another, is all about being a team. Maybe you personally wouldn’t stop for a daily cappuccino or spend eight bucks a month on Netflix, but everyone has their thing, right? Trying to control every dollar in the household budget can leave a spouse feeling powerless and frustrated. Work to give each person a little wiggle room for personal hobbies and interests. This will keep you both from going stir crazy, and can serve as a friendly reminder that part of money management is having cash for fun, too!
There you have it, savvy savers! Leverage these tips to keep both your marriage and your wallet happy. Come back to www.summitcreditunion.com for more financial resources and keep Owning It!
