QUESTION 5:
Do you and your partner
often discuss routine
money goals (like
budgeting, spending, or
saving for retirement)?
QUESTION 4:
Are you a spender and
your lover a saver
(or vice versa)?
It’s actually quite common for financial
opposites to attract. But those differences
don’t mean the relationship is doomed or
that you’re destined to have constant
money battles — as long as you’re both
willing to compromise. Cash tip: Try using
cash more often than credit cards to fund
your lifestyle. Utah State University
researcher Jeffrey Dew says thrifty couples
who don’t overspend tend to be the
happiest of all, while those in debt
have lower marriage satisfaction.
Open communication is a strong sign of
a healthy relationship. According to an
Ameriprise Financial study, most happy
couples, talk about and agree on financial
goals and shared responsibilities. In fact,
68 percent of these happy couples rate
their communication on financial
matters as good or perfect.
QUESTION 6:
Do you and your
partner have a
financial “safe word?”
Many of us have heard about “safe words”
in the bedroom. But if things get too
heated when you discuss money matters,
having a safe word or phrase can help
during financial conversations, too. Two
basic examples: saying “please stop”
or “let’s regroup” can help establish
boundaries, or convey that one or both of
you needs to cool down and talk later. The
point is to maintain respect for one anoth-
er — even if you disagree — and to avoid
having every financial conversation
become a dispute about something.
If it’s too hard to talk to your spouse
about money, or your conversations often
wind up in an argument, a third-party
financial counselor, coach or trusted
adviser can help. B
Lynnette Khalfani-Cox is a personal finance expert
and co-founder of AskTheMoneyCoach.com and
Money Coach University. She is the author
of 12 money-management books
including the New York Times
bestseller Zero Debt.
(201) BRIDE | SUMMER/FALL 2018
53