Tips for Cooperative Financial Planning as a Couple

As a pair, you may find it taxing to pay for things like a mortgage, credit cards, and groceries.  Multiple studies have shown that arguments about money are the most common source of strain in a marriage and one of the leading causes of separation and divorce. Consistent and effective communication may save marriages, and this is especially true when it comes to handling money issues. So here’s how to budget as a couple.

How, therefore, should a couple establish their financial plan?

Write down anything that brings in money for you.

If you want to understand how to set up a budget, the first thing you need do is collect all of your income in one place. It might be your base salary plus any earnings from providing additional professional services. Gather all of your expenses and put them in one place to create a budget, and then adjust your future plans and savings goals accordingly.

Keep everything open and honest.

Some married couples opt to keep their money separate, while many others combine their funds after getting hitched. The public has a right to know how their money is being spent, no matter what the choice is. Once you and your partner exchange vows, you become more than just housemates sharing bills.

Saving everything in one place makes it easier to have conversations about money, all thanks to technology improvements. And don’t be afraid to talk about topics except money; instead, sit down with your spouse and talk about your long-term financial goals so that you can save accordingly.

Create budgeting buckets like “grocery spending” and “recreational spending” together and agree on allocations for each. Keep in mind that you need to find a happy medium between the two of you; the saver can keep the spender accountable, and the spender may provide suggestions for purchases that are well worth the money.

As the saying goes, money speaks.

It’s preferable to plan ahead and have “money talks” on a Sunday afternoon or after the kids have gone to bed so that neither of you will be interrupted or distracted. Brief “checkups” allow couples to compare actual spending to anticipated costs and take care of any pressing bills that may be on the horizon.

Include them in your schedule on a consistent basis, such as every time you or your spouse gets money. In the case of an unexpected emergency, these talks may make things easier to handle.

Establish norms

You and your partner should talk about your individual spending habits before coming up with a joint budget. Set a maximum amount that any of you are willing to spend on more expensive products, and stick to it.

A pair of shoes costing $80 could be OK to bring home, but a $800 home cinema system would not. Without guidelines, one partner in a couple could feel bitter over a big purchase, while the other has no notion why the purchase is wrong.  This tipping point allows you to take preventative action, decreasing the risk of an unplanned incident or dispute happening in the future.