5 Essential Money Tips for Newlyweds

iStock_000001779863XSmallWhen you first contemplate marrying the love of your life, everything seems just right. You believe you can put up with anything, and you think that any difficulties can be smoothed over if you face them together.

Pretty soon, though, you are likely to find that not everything is perfect all the time. Being a newlywed means you have a few things to get used to, and that includes the way you handle your finances.

As you begin to navigate the waters of newlywed finances, here are 5 money tips that can help you out:

1. Get to the Bottom of Your Money Motivations

First of all, it’s important to get to the bottom of your money motivations. This is about more than figuring out whether each of you is a spender or a saver. Share things you like spending money on (things vs. experiences), as well as your reasons for some of the money decisions that you make. Really get into the “why” behind your financial decisions. It’s easier to understand yourself and your partner, and easier to create shared goals, when you both understand what makes you tick.

2. Decide on Separate vs. Joint Spending

Many couples struggle with trying to figure out whether or not to combine finances. At some point you will need to decide on whether you will keep things separate, pool everything. Even if you have largely separate finances, it still makes sense to arrange for some shared spending. Shared expenses, like mortgage payments and utilities, can be paid from a shared account that you each contribute to.

And, even if you combine your finances, it makes sense for each partner to have some money available to spend as he or she sees fit. Talk about these issues, and determine how your financial situation to look.

3. Set Goals Together

If you want to accomplish anything together as a couple, you need to have shared goals. Whether you want to pay off debt or save for retirement or get a new TV, you have to be in agreement on the big stuff. It does you know good if you want to live a frugal lifestyle, and you keep trying to save money, if your spouse isn’t on board. You’ll be trying to keep things simple and inexpensive, while he or she spends. Neither of you is wrong, but you’ll both be frustrated.

Talk about what you both want out of life, and how you want to use your financial resources to accomplish those things. My husband and I have pretty much settled on a lifestyle that we both like, even though we have different money motivations. What keeps it all together is that we have similar over-arching goals, especially when it comes to retirement. These shared goals keep us focused on what’s really important to both of us, and brings us common ground.

4. Set Regular Money Check Ups

Get in the habit of regular money check ups as newlyweds, and you’ll develop a good habit that will help you out the rest of your life together. Check in regularly so that both of you can see what is happening with your finances, and so that you can discuss any changes to the situation, or issues that are coming up.

My husband and I have never been very good at this; he doesn’t like managing money. But we are to the point now where we do check about twice a year so that he understands where we are at, and what we can afford to do for the next six months or so. How I wish we’d developed the habit early on, so that he could used to talking about our financial situation, rather than fighting to try and get him to sit down twice a year to talk about money.

5. Observe the Financial Basics

One of the best things you can do for your financially-sound marriage is to start out by observing the financial basics. All of the worn-out money advice still applies. Start out on the right financial foot by:

  • Living within your means
  • Being wary of debt (and paying it down if you have it)
  • Investing (at least contribute to your retirement accounts)
  • Protecting your assets with adequate insurance coverage

 

Make it a point to do these things from the beginning of your marriage, and you’ll have a solid financial foundation that will serve you well for the decades to come.


Comments

5 Essential Money Tips for Newlyweds — 14 Comments

  1. I agree with these tips! I’ve been happily married for eight years and it works because we make sure that we’re on the same page with our finances and everything else. We only have joint accounts which I think helps as well.

    • All our finances are combined as well. It really does help with the “ours” mentality, although I can see why it might not be for everyone. I think being on the same page helps a lot.

  2. I agree with Lance. Couples should go into the marriage being on the same page about finances. These are great tips. Some couples don’t even have these conversations about money when they should be.

  3. I don’t understand how people get married BEFORE discussing these things that could make or break a relationship. I’m a firm believer in a long courtship and cohabitation. My last relationship was five years, and yes, dividing everything when I moved out was tricky- but it was a lot easier than a divorce and the expenses and legal proceedings that go along with it.

    • If you do these things before marriage, it is easier to make the transition. And, of course, one hopes that you continue to do them throughout the relationship.

  4. I was also thinking as I was reading your post that these tips should be accounted for before getting married. Sometimes opposites attract and it works out well in marriage, but that’s looking at personalities, like a creative person with an analytical person. A spendthrift and a frugal person will probably not stay married for long. My wife and I are both fairly frugal, and have joint accounts for everything except retirement accounts, which cannot be jointly owned.

  5. All these ideas make so much sense. There are many couples who are ashamed to discuss money and then, after they get married, they start clashing and fighting over this matter. Being open and clear with your intentions and expectations is surely better than not communicating.

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