9 money advice couples may not want to hear

It is not news that disagreements over finances is one of the main reasons couples end up in divorce court. Financial advice is readily available, but married couples are still fighting over money. Why? For a variety of reasons, couples appear to not want to hear the financial advice.

Here are financial advices married couples often ignore.

1) Create Separate Accounts and One Joint Account: To mingle or not to mingle your money is one of the most important decisions the two of you need to make regarding your finances. Having your own money that you can spend however you want can lessen arguments about money. We disagree with the belief that having separate joint accounts lessens the sense of unity in marriage and shows a lack of trust in one another.

2) Track How You Are Spending Money: It’s called a budget. Tracking your spending is not a way to point fingers at one another as to who is spending what. Tracking your spending is not having someone looking over your shoulder every time you buy something. Tracking your spending is critical to being financially secure. Unless you know where your money is going, it is impossible to set financial goals you are both comfortable with.

3) Set Your Financial Priorities Together: Know what is important to each of you. One of you may want to buy a house while the other thinks saving for your retirement is more important. Seeking the help of a financial planner can help you set your priorities and still spend money on some fun things like a vacation now and then.

4) Discuss Finances Together on a Regular Basis: Sure, talking about money isn’t easy because money can symbolize different things to each partner. One may view money as security and the other as power. If the topic of debt, bills, savings, and goals makes one or both of you uncomfortable or defensive, seek the help of a financial counselor or planner. It is important that both of you know where you stand financially and have common financial goals.

5) Save 10% of Your Income: Couples living month-to-month often rationalise that they just don’t have enough money to save. Make the decision to save at least 10% of your income. After saving enough cash as an emergency fund, invest in a retirement account. The earlier the two of you start saving money for your retirement years, the easier it will be have the retirement lifestyle that you both hope for.

7) Try to Live Debt Free: Couples often don’t want to wait to have a new television, new car, and other new gadgets. They rationalize that people just don’t live without credit cards and debt. Although it may be true that many people are heavily in debt, that doesn’t mean it is a healthy way to handle your finances.

8) Don’t Keep Big Financial Secrets: Not being honest about the cost of large financial purchases or keeping debts hidden is considered financial infidelity by many people. Such secrets can destroy your marriage.

9) You May Have to Face Tough Times Financially: No matter how much you plan and talk about money, no matter how much you save, no matter how frugal the two of you are, there still could be tough times and unemployment in your financial future.

– Ify Chiemeziem

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