12 Best Ways To Talk To Your Spouse About Money

The relationship between a married couple is among the most intimate and delicate relationships. And there is nothing that a married couple should not be able to talk about. But often you may find yourself hesitating to talk to your spouse. Do you hesitate to talk to your spouse about money? Do not worry, your problem is common enough.

If you have to talk to your spouse about finances, then you need to realise that there is nothing wrong with it. Yes, money is a delicate issue in all relationships. But when you are in conjugal life, you can hardly avoid discussing something as basic as money. There should be no harm in talking to your spouse about money as long as you understand some very important concepts about this issue.

A COUPLE SHOULD BE MONEY MATES

Money means different things to different people. Usually, couples fight because they do not understand each other's perspective to money. There might be a few rough edges in the beginning but eventually you will smooth them out if you communicate with your spouse well. Never shy away from talking to your spouse about money; just be diplomatic when you talk.

And with these guidelines, you should be able to talk to your spouse about money very confidently.

Are you financially compatible?

It is very important to understand whether the two of you are financially compatible. Being compatible with money is just as important as emotional compatibility. Ideally, you should do this status check before you get married.

Talking about money is not cheap

You need to understand that talking about money is not cheap and stop worrying about what your spouse will think about you. Get the guilt out of the way and you will do much better.

Observe how your spouse spends money

Always observe your spouse's spending behaviour keenly before you make a comment. Spending behavior includes everything from what brand they buy to how much they tip the waiter.

Always have a budget

You need a basic reference point on any subject and that should be your budget. Always have a budget of your monthly expenditure so that you have a reference point to discuss your money matters with your spouse.

If you have a better idea don’t be afraid to share it

Suppose you want to buy curtains for your house and your spouse is checking out furnishing stores. You feel that buying curtains online might be a better deal, then don't be scared to share your idea.

Never let ego creep in

One person should never become the deciding authority of finances in a marriage. Don't let your ego get in the way and make you feel that you are the better person for the job of finance manager in your family.

Money can hurt self-esteem

You have to be careful not to hurt your spouse's self-respect when you talk about money. This is especially relevant when one spouse is not earning or not earning as well as the other.

Financial infidelity is a no-no

Lying to your spouse about how much money you have or how much something cost is financial infidelity. Although this does not seem as serious as infidelity in the true sense, it can take the trust out of your relationship.

Money is an emotional issue

Don't just look at numbers when you are making financial decisions. You need to take into account the fact that money is an emotional issue. If your spouse wants to buy an expensive wedding present for his/her sibling, you need to understand that it is a purely emotional decision.

Get to the core of a money argument

All couples bicker about money, so there is no shame in it. But it is important to get to the bottom of an argument about money and see who is right without getting biased.

Always have a regular status check on money issues

Money is the most basic need for survival, so you cannot talk to your spouse about money once in a blue moon. You must talk about monetary issues regularly to check that you are on the same page.

Have financial targets together

Couples dream together about a big house, a bigger car or an exotic holiday. Make savings and investments as part of these joint dreams. That makes it easier to talk about money in a marriage.