Building Better Finances Together: A Couple’s Guide

Talking about money with your partner can be tough, but it doesn’t have to be.

After years of learning (sometimes the hard way), I’ve discovered that building strong finances as a couple requires open communication.

It also involves creating shared systems that work for both of you.

Here are our tried-and-true tips for creating financial harmony in your relationship:

1. The Weekly Money Date

Schedule a regular 30-minute chat about finances. Keep it light – we do ours over Sunday coffee. Review your spending, celebrate wins, and tackle any concerns early. This prevents stress from building up and keeps you both in sync.

2. Create a Shared Vision

Before diving into budgets, talk about your dreams. What do you want to build together? A home? Travel adventures? Early retirement? Understanding each other’s financial goals makes daily money decisions easier and more meaningful.

3. Divide and Conquer (But Stay Connected)

Play to your strengths. In our relationship, I handle rental income and expense tracking while my partner manages our personal account. The key? We both stay informed about the full picture through our weekly check-ins.

4. Set Up Your Success System

Create a simple shared system:

• Use a joint spreadsheet for tracking income & expenses
  
  
• Use a shared credit card for easy expense tracking, pay card off weekly
  
  
• Agree on a percentage % of income to move into joint savings account for taxes and investments
  
  
• Share login access to all important accounts
  
  
• Touch base before making big purchases. Do we need it or do we want it? The goal is to make more than we’re spending each week.
  
  
• Set up automatic payments to investment accounts

5. Celebrate Progress Together

Track your joint financial wins, no matter how small. We touch base on our wins at our weekly meeting. From paying off a credit card to maxing out a Roth IRA account. It keeps the money journey positive and motivating.

6. Have Each Other’s Backs

Sometimes life throws curveballs. Create an emergency fund together and discuss how you’ll handle unexpected expenses before they happen. This creates security and trust in your financial partnership.

Remember, building better finances as a couple isn’t about having identical money styles. It’s about creating a system that works for both of you.

Start with one of these tips this week and build from there. Your relationship (and your wallet) will thank you.

Comment your favorite money tips below!