Get Naked With Your Honey About Money
What if partners revealed all of their naked truths about finances from the start of their relationships?
In adolescent years, a relationship’s love was tested by the sharing of a piece of Hubba Bubba gum. Or the amount of love letters written throughout a school day to your teenage love. With age, these minuscule gestures that once served as a determining factor for youthful relationships, soon will be overshadowed by the power of finances.
Today, finance is one of the leading causes for failed relationships and disagreements among partners. When couples share different values towards money and are not financially compatible this can be sure grounds for a speedy break up. Often, individuals don’t become knowledgeable of their partners finances and financial history until money problems arise in their relationship. But what if partners revealed all of their naked truths about their finances from the start of their relationships? Throughout this article, healthy alternatives will be explored to create a dialogue for partners to learn about each others concepts of money, spending habits and debt that may have been acquired prior to the relationship.
The Value of a Dollar
Through different upbringings, people come to understand money differently and to some money may be of greater importance than to others. This factor is no different when it comes to merging two walks of life together, in hopes of building the perfect union. It is very important to talk openly with your partner about their values and morals when it comes to money to see how their concepts may conflict with yours. In doing so, you will also develop an understanding of your partners financial decisions because it corresponds with their beliefs. Engaging in this particular topic can also reveal how incompatible you and your partners spending habits are. For instance, one partner may be frugal, opting to save more than their partner, who chooses to spend on frivolous things. When your values of money don’t align with your partners it is difficult to build a foundation until all parties are on one accord.
Financial Debt and Its Horror Stories
There is nothing more heart wrenching than disclosing the amount of debt you are in, be it from a plethora of credit cards, student loans or irrational choices. Financial debt is a loaded topic that most partners choose to avoid talking about because of fear and embarrassment. As uncomfortable as it may be, it is better to share your financial debt with your partner early on in the relationship than to learn about it later. Partners should discuss how they plan on tackling their debt together; if they cannot agree on a solution, maybe they should part ways. Either way, this is a healthy alternative to nipping a problem in a bud before it gets out of hand.
A Couple Who Saves Together, Stays Together
If the relationship continues after learning about your partners financial values and debt, couples should embark on a journey of saving and studying finances together. Plenty of things can be implemented such as, creating a savings goal monthly, arranging a time out of the week to listen to different financial podcasts and sharing ideas towards getting out of debt. This method will keep partners in sync and offer formidable grounds towards building a solid relationship. Remember you are a team, and to win as a team, you must be on the same page financially!
Suggested Reading
The Six Key Steps To Healthy Finances In Your Relationship By Leo Babauta
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Author: Jerry
Jerry is a Business Insider Contributing Writer who is obsessed with personal finance. He believes you can improve your financial situation by applying principles taught by the financial independence community to your financial life.
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