Love is in the air as Valentine’s Day approaches. But one of the most-common reasons relationships don’t make it is because two people don’t see eye-to-eye on money.
How can you save your relationship and work through these differences? Here are some tips for couples who can’t seem to agree on financial matters.
1. Talk it out.
In situations where one spouse sees money one way and the other person has an entirely different approach, the best advice is to talk it out and come to a compromise.
Believe it or not, when you get two people with totally different money philosophies, it’s actually a blessing in disguise. It makes couples communicate more and work through their disagreements. Ultimately, this brings them closer.
2. Pick your battles.
When a couple has very different money philosophies, one of the keys to making it work is knowing which battles to fight.
For example: If it’s been a dream of hers to learn to speak Spanish and she wants to purchase an online course for $100, you might want to let that go. On the other hand, if money is tight and you decide to get away for a few nights, but he wants to upgrade to the penthouse, it might be a good idea to fight that one.
3. Dedicate some money just for fun.
Nothing brings couples together like experiences. Unfortunately, experiences can be pricey.
As part of your monthly budget after your expenses are covered, dedicate a small percentage each month for fun experiences like travel, dining out, sky diving or whatever you both like to do.
4. Never make it ‘Me vs. You.’
When you are in a relationship, there’s no “me” and “you” when it comes to money. There is only “us.”
If your paycheck is significantly larger than your spouse’s, don’t rub it in or mention that you make more money so therefore your vote counts for more or that you get to spend more. That’s the fastest way to head for a breakup. Instead, see the two of you as a team and work together when it comes to your finances.
5. Leave the emotion out of it.
It’s easy to let our emotions bleed into our financial decisions, especially when a spouse is involved. After all, you want to make her happy and give her everything she’s ever wanted.
Blending emotion and money is the fastest way to go broke. When it comes to handling the family money with your spouse, leave your emotions on the shelf and let reason be your guide.
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