8 financial rules for each pair before starting to live together

The decision on the start of life together is a logical continuation of a romantic relationship. But sometimes the illusion of lovers break on life and unwillingness to listen to each other. The financial issue is another test for the couple. We tell you what to agree on in advance and how to protect the joint budget from force majeure.

If you begin to live together, then you probably experience both joy and fear at the same time. On the one hand, now you will finally belong to each other, but on the other, you will have to accept or not accept each other’s habits. The dispute about how the hallway should look like or whether the steak for breakfast is useful is unlikely to be a serious reason to break the relationship. But disagreements in financial matters are able to strike even a strong union.

We have collected for you 6 financial rules that are useful to read before you start living together.

1. You should have common goals

As a couple you should work together on some kind of common financial purpose. Then there will be a feeling that you are partners. Of course, you do not need to directly ask: “What are your goals?»Dry together about what you would like to see your life in five years. Find out how your partner represents your life at the age when children grow up (and, by the way, how many of them will be?).

It is possible that you have different ideas about the excellent future. But any coincidences can become a reference point for general financial plans and goals. Otherwise, everyone will spend money only on their own goal, which will sooner or later lead to disagreements.

By the way, one should not forget that both general and your personal goals will change over time over time. Do not consider this as a crash of plans, this is normal for every pair. Just do not forget to discuss the changed circumstances with a partner more often and listen carefully to him.

Something will have to be abandoned over time, zhewitra soft but there will be many new opportunities. Correct plans, taking into account the interests of each other.

2. Pay attention to the financial habits of a partner and his impulsiveness

Sometimes a couple gets literally in the first weeks of dating. It is delighted that a new stage began in life, neither he nor she dare to talk about such prose moments as finances. Already at the beginning of your acquaintance, pay attention to how much your partner is impulsive and is he able to plan. Assessing this is not always easy, but this is an important point.

No need to talk about it directly. Observe and draw conclusions. Evaluate how much your partner is prone to impulsive expenses. Or, on the contrary, surviving and even a jail.

Rachel Smith, a certified financial analyst, says that many financial habits of a person can be learned from his stories about the family. She also advises to ask among others the following question: “If you won in the lottery, what would you do with the money?»He would invest in real estate? I spent a new model on a car, on a party, which everyone will remember? The analyst advises to talk about this literally on the third date, to know whether to waste time on the fourth.

3. Credit history

Information about the general financial situation and credit history of the partner will not be superfluous. Here we mean a tendency to live on a debt or calculate your expenses. How can you find out such a subtle moment extremely intelligent and delicate?

Indirect questions will help. For example, if you are recently familiar, tell us about those cases when after a pulsive purchase you were sorry for the money spent. Ask if there were similar stories in the life of a partner. Ask what he considers the most valuable acquisition in his life, what he only dreams of buying and what steps he takes to achieve the goal. If a person is frank with you in financial matters, this is a good sign.

4. Mine is yours – our

Having decided to live together, decide on the borders: “What is mine, what is yours and what can be considered our?»The first motivation, of course, will unite all finances. This is just the experts do not advise doing this. Alisa Torabi, financial coach, recalls: “You are not neighbors in the room to conduct an accurate counting of expenses and pay debts up to the ruble, but you are not a family yet. Until you officially registered the marriage, you should not combine all the accounts in one or take one mortgage for two. So far it is too risky “.

Instead, she recommends starting with a financial “test drive”-accumulate together on a trip, then for a joint purchase. The situation would be perfect if you had the same income, but even in this case your personal expenses will be different. Fasten for each “sphere of influence”: one pays bills for the apartment, the other for electricity. Divide food costs in half.

5. Honesty above all

Do not hide financial expenses from each other. This advice gives Trent Hemm, the creator of the TheSimpledollar blog. Grapery hiking will destroy trust inside the couple. This does not mean that you need to report for every penny spent, but it will be better if your personal expenses will be within some amount agreed by you, and you will discuss large purchases in advance together.

6. Be ready for force majeure

You need to be prepared in advance for the fact that there will be a time when one of the partners will take all expenses – regardless of whether he earns more or less. One of you will finish your studies or go to improve your qualifications, no changes at work or the need for treatment are excluded. So that this is not a surprise for you, it is better to tune in advance. According to statistics, each pair pass such periods if people live together for a long time. Knowing that such is reality and then everything will return to the stable direction again, it will be much easier for you to survive this time.

7. General piggy bank

It is very useful to start your total reserve fund. You can put small amounts here to create an “inviolable stock”, which is useful for repairing the machine, for urgent purchases, and to solve temporary difficulties. This will teach you both to save. In addition, this is another joint business that will only strengthen your union.

8. Discussion of any financial issues

Do not be afraid to discuss any issues and problems, including a financial nature. Do not be silent, openly talk about what you like and what you do not like, and together look for compromises and ways to solve any issues. A joint solution to problems is the best prevention of promotions on financial issues and a guarantee that you will stay together.