Words like communication, and compromise pop up, and you find yourself adapting and operating differently from your previous self. However approaching finances as a team can strengthen your bond as a couple, helping you to rely on one another and build a shared vision for your future. It all depends on how you handle it… This is why I’ve put together my top tips for managing finances as a couple!

Understanding Each Other’s Values and Vision

This is one of the first things that any couple should establish because, when it comes to financial values and your vision for the future, it’s so important that you want the same things in life. This means exploring what money means to you, both as individuals and how it will work as a couple. For example, when it comes to finances, are you spontaneous or strict? Do you like to budget or go with the flow? How do you feel about savings, both long and short-term? What do you value in terms of financial spend? What do you want in the future that could be a big spend; is it travel, a property, children, all of the above? Understanding each other’s values helps to not only bring you closer together but also helps you align better as you move forward, saving you from arguments, misunderstandings, and more and instead laying the foundation for shared financial decisions.

Establish Open (and Regular!) Communication

The key to managing finances successfully as a couple is to have open, honest, and regular communication. I know, it can be easier said than done sometimes. But doing this regularly no matter how uncomfortable, is needed as life circumstances and financial priorities can change. Schedule regular check-ins with each other, and work with your communication style, carving out time to have a transparent discussion about your financial situation in a way that suits your individual needs. This includes income, debts, savings, spending habits, and long-term financial goals. If you struggle to speak clearly at the moment, compile some notes or bullet points to run through! Understanding each other’s perspectives and values regarding money is what’s important, as it sets the stage for you to work with each other collaboratively, assessing your goals, addressing any discrepancies, and making the necessary adjustments to stay aligned as you move towards your future.

Create a Joint Budget

Establishing financial goals together is a great way to bring you closer and help you get excited about planning for the future, whether it’s dinners, activities, holidays, or larger purchases or plans (such as retirement). Developing this budget together enables you to have your values and wants represented, making it easier to focus on and achieve when it gets past the planning stage and into reality. To start your budget, list out all of your expenses both personal and shared, such as rent, utilities, groceries, hobbies, grooming, transportation, charity, subscription, savings, and personal spending. This will help you to get oversight over everything and establish which are needs and which are wants, providing flexibility over the amount you allocate to them. From here, you can craft a budget that reflects your shared values and goals, ensuring that your spending aligns with your priorities and aspirations.

Foster Financial Accountability and Independence

While managing finances together, it’s crucial to maintain individual financial autonomy. Joint accounts can help with household expenditure and streamlining financial outgoings, but having autonomy over your own finances is vital. It also enables you to encourage and support each other’s personal financial goals and hobbies whilst preventing conflicts regarding discretionary spending. Instead, foster financial accountability, regularly tracking expenses and monitoring progress towards your financial goals as a team. There are lots of apps and tools that you can use to facilitate this, and regularly reviewing your spending patterns can help provide vital insights into how you approach finances as a whole.

Know When to Get a Helping Hand

If you find discussing or managing finances overwhelming, don’t worry—lots of people do and you’re not alone. That’s why financial planners and counselors exist—to help you understand and make the most out of your situation, whatever that looks like! This also helps when there are conflicts about finances in a relationship. When disagreements arise, it’s not always easy to approach them with empathy and a willingness to understand each other’s perspectives if you’re feeling triggered yourself. But reaching out for professional guidance can help provide support by offering solutions instead of blame; providing tailored strategies and objective insights that can benefit both you and your partner.