It’s the leading cause of relationship difficulties and break-ups, yet it’s also the one topic people try to avoid the most before marriage. Could this just be a coincidence? We think not.
Finance is not a particularly romantic topic. 60% of couples don’t even disclose their salaries to each other before tying the knot, and only 36% revealed their debt to each other. This can be very problematic down the line, as you will be managing rent or mortgage, paying the bills, and likely raising children together. When a couple get into a situation where they are unexpectedly financially distraught, it can get stressful.
So, if you’ve met the love of your life and would like to keep them, it’s something that must be discussed. And with the right mentality, it doesn’t need to be an overly heavy conversation either. So, at some point while you’re planning for the wedding, you should set some time aside to discuss your financial goals together.
When it’s time to have the conversation, try approaching it by working together to establish a few basic rules. This will help ensure that unnecessary hardships are avoided, and unforeseen circumstances such as a layoff are not too severe. Try starting by setting rules on which purchases require a discussion before being made. It’s not an easy exchange, but it’s best to get it out of the way early so you can focus on a happier time with your spouse.
