The Credit Professional Winter 2018 Dec_2018_magazine | Page 29

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the checking account. The
financial plans you’ve made
together, whether it’s the big
things like saving for a house or
for retirement or even the little
things like paying bills or
buying groceries, are reliant
on the money you expect to be
present being there.
If you’re secretly pulling out
more and more money for
things like hidden credit card
bills or hidden hobbies or
hidden shopping trips, you’re
not only damaging those plans,
you’re also damaging trust.
hold you both back from what
you want to achieve.
For example, let’s say one of
you is focused on retirement
savings, while the other person
is all excited about saving for
international travel. If you’re
both simultaneously pulling
from the same pool of money
for this, neither one of you is
going to reach your goal with
any speed.
least somewhat realistic)?
What about ten years or twenty
years? What about in your
old age?
Then, look for areas where your
visions overlap. Those, right
there, should be your goals.
Make those goals central for
both of you, then develop a plan
for making those goals happen.
Remember, though, this isn’t a
one time thing. Your goals and
The best approach is to sit
priorities will change, both
down together and figure out
individually and mutually.
goals that you share, then
Revisit this conversation
figure out a plan to work toward regularly and make sure that
It’s never, ever worth it unless
those goals. It might not be an you continue to be focused on
you’re intentionally on the way easy process. You might not
your shared goals. Don’t be
out of the marriage.
even know for sure what goals
afraid to let some goals fade
are most important to you.
away as you change both
Now, again, this does not mean That’s also going to be part of
individually and mutually, and
you need to reveal every dime
the conversation.
don’t be afraid to pick up new
you spend at every moment to
goals, either.
your spouse. What it does mean My suggestion for a great
is that you need some sort of
conversation about goals is to
#3: Your spouse is going to
clear limit on your individual
simply talk about what each of
really tick you off
spending. Perhaps you can
you would like from your life in
sometimes. Forgive him
agree that you’re going to each the next five years, then the
or her.
have $100 a month (or more
next twenty years, then for the
or less, depending on your
rest of your life. What would
It’s going to happen. You’re
situation) to spend on things
you like your life to look like
going to disagree. You’re going
you want as well as gifts for
five years from now (being at
to see traits in your spouse
each other, and that money can
be spent without question or
even a second thought. If you’re
going beyond that limit, then a
conversation needs to happen.
#2: Talk about your shared
goals as often as possible.
Speaking of shared goals, it’s
vital that you’re on the same
page with regards to what goals
you have and how your income
is working toward those goals.
If you’re not working on the
same goals, then you’re going
to be literally working against
each other in terms of your use
of money and time, which will
The Credit Professional
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December 2018