Nick and I gave a lot of thought to how we would combine our finances after marriage. For a long time we thought we were going to combine them a certain way. But, when it came time to do it, that way seemed very complicated so we decided to go a different direction. At the end of the day, we are both happy with what we chose and we managed to get through it without a big fight!
Be open about your finances from the beginning
Being open about your finances can really help avoid a lot of fights. If you each know what financial situation the other is in, you can create a plan for financial success together. This definitely beats the alternative of waiting until the last minute to talk about finance and having that ‘what did I get myself into?’ moment.
accept that things may not always be equal
One person may have a higher salary than the other. Or one person may like to spend their money more than the other. There are so many variables and it is important to accept that things will not always turn out to be 50/50. Be grateful for what you have and work together to be as successful as possible as one financial unit. Know that the tables may turn too. Just because the situation is one way now doesn’t mean it will always be like that.
have a clear financial strategy/plan
Be sure to talk about who will manage the finances and what that means for you. Does that mean one person reconciles the accounts, or makes sure the bills are paid, or both? How do you want to go about saving? You could save money up front, or roll anything extra at the end of the month into savings.
talk about spending
It’s bound to happen. One person will spend too much one month and get the other angry. Try to talk about spending and spending habits up front and often to try to minimize the changes of an argument. Is there a certain point when you want to talk about purchases before making the purchases? Or is it just everything goes? Whatever will keep both people the happiest is the way to go!
Our first steps of combining our finances has gone really smoothly. Here’s to hoping that the road doesn’t get too bumpy!
We have combined finances and sometimes it is a struggle. We have managed to sort out our finances where all our bills go out without any issues.
These are some great tips, it can be so hard to combine finances, especially if you aren’t completely honest and open about your outgoings.
Great advice for new relationships. Finances can be a make or break in a relationship and it is so easy just to talk it through and have a plan instead of winging it.
Thats such a great post. This is stressful enough, need to find a way to come together
Great tips! These work well even after many years of marriage
These are fantastic tips! I think being open and honest from the get-go is what is the most important!
I really liked that you mentioned that not everything is always 100% equal which is true and many don’t want to admit that. You can totally have 2 rivaling careers that clash as in my case with my ex-husband…hence…ex. Great worthy advice.
When I married my husband, we combined finances. It was tough breaking him of the spending, but we did it and it was probably one of the best things we did together.
Love this! We actually have a time each month to talk about finances, then we touch base each week to make sure we are on track!
My hubby and I started combining our finances before we got married. We are still working things out but have been doing pretty well for the past 8 years.
Such helpful advice! I should’ve known these tips earlier. Everything seems to be a lot easier now.
I am the one who takes care of the finances in the relationship. I like having that control and my husband is totally okay with it.
My husband and I have always combined our finances. Thankfully we’ve never had any issues with it!
We have always combined our finances. It is so important to have a clear game plan and be super open about everything. It is not a competition, but a great way to work together towards a greater goal.
These are great tips. We have always combined our finances and it works well for us, but I know people who still keep their own checking and are married. I don’t think I would like that very well.
We combined our finances when we bought our house. It was really strange for me at the beginning but now it’s all ok.
Thankfully my Hubby and I were both prepared for this part of marriage but I have seen many a couple allow this to be such a wedge between them. These are great tips to help avoid that!
This always seems to be a hard talking point for some couples! Thank you for sharing this helpful and honest article, really great advice given here!
This is definitely a topic that needs to be addressed more often. You have some really great recommendations on how to combine finances with a new significant other!
We never had issue about our finances. Both of us have its own sources of income, and we can spend it the way we wanted.
If my amore gives me some, i am gladly showing him by savings (because i tend to not spend what he gaves).