Finances are a big part of life for everyone. In individuals, finances can be a complex issue. Add another person into the mix, and finances can get even more challenging. When you are part of a couple, talking about your financial future may feel uncomfortable. It is, however, an essential part of the health and future of your relationship. Honest, open communication is the key to a stronger relationship. Especially when it comes to finances.

It may be difficult to talk about finances with your partner. This can be for a variety of reasons such as different ways of doing things, shame for past decisions, and unhealthy models for finances growing up. These things do not need to prevent you from having these important conversations.

A counselor can guide you and your partner through conversations to help you communicate. As a neutral third party, the counselor can ask questions, lead conversations, help people see other perspectives, and offer strategies for better communication. This is incredibly helpful as two people try to build a firm financial future together.

No matter what point you are at in your relationship, you can benefit from finding common ground with your partner regarding finances.

Finances and new couples.

Finances may not seem like a big deal at the beginning of a relationship. You do not need to discuss your financial information with someone you are getting to know. Early discussions about money may revolve around things like who pays for meals and going out or what kind of things work with your budget. Being honest about this early on is helpful as you get to know one another better and spend more time together.

Finances and established couples.

If you have been dating for a good amount of time and you both consider your relationship serious, you may open up more about your finances. It is still important to be cautious not to share too much too soon. Instead, focus on talking about how you each approach things like debt, credit cards, saving habits, spending habits, and unexpected expenses. These conversations can evolve and grow deeper the longer you are together.

Finances and engaged couples.

When you are engaged, it is vital to be completely open with your partner. By this point, you should work on sharing as much information as possible. This enables you to talk about how you each do things currently and how you will meld those two distinct ways of thinking into a compromise for your marriage.

Your ideas and habits will grow and change over the years, but building a firm financial foundation together when you are engaged can offer a stronger future for your relationship.

Finances and married couples.

When you are married, finances become a routine part of your relationship. Everything from spending habits and saving habits to whether to buy your child a car will come up. Agreeing on how to handle various situations will require patience, understanding, and compromise, but it is essential. You don’t have to have all the answers, but you do need to be willing to find them together.

Guidance for couples’ financial future.

No matter what stage your relationship is in, a counselor can help you find common ground regarding your finances. The Christian counselors in this directory will also help you learn how to communicate about finances in a godly, loving way.

If finances are a sore subject in your relationship, reach out to a counselor on this site. They can help you find peace for your financial future as a couple.

Photos:
“Doing the Budget”, Courtesy of Getty Images, Unsplash.com, Unsplash+ License; “Show me the Money”, Courtesy of Sharon McCutcheon, Unsplash.com, CC0 License