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Five Important Money Topics to Discuss Before the Big Day

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This post is part of our Marriage + Money series, sharing important financial topics with our currently engaged readers. This conversation is sponsored by CreditRepair.com

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Don’t head down the aisle without discussing these important money topics

Here at The Budget Savvy Bride, we have a strong value system surrounding money and marriage. We’ve seen reports that state that money disputes are one of the biggest stressors in a relationship. It’s even been said that debt is one of the biggest factors in divorces.

That’s why we are so passionate about sharing information that teaches couples how to be wise with their spending for their wedding day and beyond. After all, managing a wedding budget is great practice for running your household as a married couple.

Before you head down the aisle, there are some important financial conversations you should have with your sweetie. From savings goals to credit scores, here are five important money talks to discuss before the big day:

Five Important Money Topics to Discuss Before You Tie The Knot

1. Financial Values + Goals

One of the biggest conversations that you should have with your partner before exchanging your “I do’s” is all about your respective financial goals and values. What are your beliefs surrounding money? Are you spenders or savers? Do you live below your means or do you tend to live by a “YOLO” mentality? Would you prefer to buy your dream house or take dream vacations each year? Discuss your personal goals and how finances will come into play during your marriage to ensure you’re on the same page, or at least able to compromise.

2. Current Debt

Once you and your future spouse have discussed your financial values and goals, it’s time to talk about where the two of you are currently, financially speaking. This one can be uncomfortable, but it’s absolutely imperative to discuss any outstanding debts or loans. It’s likely that each of you has some form of debt, whether it be a car loan, student loan, mortgage, or credit card debt. A person’s debt can tell you quite a bit about their financial responsibility, especially if they have a large revolving balance on their credit cards. Debt can be a big source of stress, so it’s important to know where you and your partner stand upfront before making a lifetime commitment.

3. Combined Assets

On the other side of the coin from your debts, discuss your current assets with your partner. This means disclosing the amount of money you each have in the bank and/or investment accounts. Perhaps one of you owns property that is considered an asset as well. This isn’t to say you’re required to share everything you owned before you got married, this is more about transparency. This is also a great time to discuss both incomes, so you know how much will come in each month to go toward household expenses.

4. Credit History and Credit Scores

Another important thing to disclose to your fiancé is your credit score. After discussing your debts, you might already have an inkling about where your partner rates on the credit scale, but it’s important to get the full picture. Each of you should get a copy of your credit report to share with your partner. If either of you has red flags on your report, handle the problem sooner rather than later.

Though your spouse’s credit score won’t have any direct effect on yours, if you’re planning to make any big purchases together, like a home or a car, lenders will often take both scores into account. A bad score could hurt your chances of qualifying for the first home you’ve both been dreaming of.  If one of your scores is struggling, check out CreditRepair.com, which can help you repair your credit, improve your score, and help you to reach those mutual goals.

5. Money Management Style

After you’ve reviewed your individual financial situations, discuss how you’ll manage your money when you’re married. Use this conversation as a starting point to make a game plan for how you’ll proceed post-nuptials. Make sure you understand your partner’s spending habits before opening joint accounts. You may want to have a joint account that contains only a limited amount of money for joint everyday purchases and keep separate accounts until you are more comfortable with each other’s habits.

In Conclusion

Start your marriage off on the right financial footing by having these uncomfortable money conversations *before* you get married. Not only will it be helpful to be on the same page, but you’ll also be set on the path toward marital money bliss! Happy Planning!


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