15 Tips to Manage Finances in Marriage

Talking about finances and marriage is one of those hot-button topics that elicit responses ranging from “It’s a subject we avoid” to “Our household budget is completely transparent.”

Many couples have issues with finances in their marriage; in fact, money ranks at number three on the reasons couples divorce after communication issues and infidelity.

Money does not have to be the root of all evil, especially as your marriage is concerned. If you do some preemptive work, you can be a master of managing finances in marriage. 

You can manage any money-related problems that may occur at your wedding or after marriage. 

Here is how you can keep arguments about finances at a minimum, starting with exercises to do before you say “I do.”

Related Reading: 6 Key Ways to Manage Financial Disagreements in Marriage

15 Tips to manage finances in marriage

Money is a complex topic for couples. It will help if they try to figure out which strategies are best to manage money in marriage. Some people hit the roadblock when it comes to managing finances as a couple. Here are some tips that will guide you through managing finances in marriage. 

1. Start talking about money before the wedding

You can do this independently, but if you are participating in premarital counseling, let your counselor guide this discussion.

You will want to disclose the debts you already have, such as student, auto, home loans, and credit-card debt.

If this is not your first marriage, share with your partner any alimony and child support obligations you have. Please talk about your bank accounts and what’s in them: checking, savings, investment, etc.

Decide on how to manage finances after marriage, separate accounts, or both?

2. Examine your relationship with money

Do you and your partner have differing views on money? 

If you aren’t aligned with how you think your money should be spent (or saved), you need to work on finding a finance-managing system that satisfies both of you.

Maybe decide on a spending limit, say $100.00, and anything above that amount needs mutual pre-approval before the item is purchased.

If you prefer not to build consensus for large purchases, you might want to keep separate, self-funded “fun money” accounts, to be used for when you want something for yourself, such as clothing or a video game.

This can help cut down on arguments since you aren’t using money from the common pot.

3. Use debit cards instead of credit cards for expenditures

Will it make a difference in how your household budget is managed if your salaries differ significantly? Do either of you feel ashamed about how you spend your money?

Have you ever, in the past, hidden any purchases or gotten into too much credit card debt due to overspending? If this is the case, perhaps cutting up your credit cards and using only debit cards makes good financial sense for you.

4. Define short-term and long-term goals for your money

You should both agree on saving for retirement and establishing an emergency fund in case of loss of a job. How much would you like to put into a savings account each month?

Discuss how you might save your first home purchase, buy a new car, or vacation, or investment property.

Do you agree that establishing a college fund for your children is important?

Revisit your short and long-term financial goals at least once a year so that you can take stock and review if these goals have evolved (or, better yet, been met!). 

If you need it, seek sound financial advice from people who are good at it. 

5. Discuss contribution towards supporting parents

Please talk about your contribution towards supporting your parents, now and in the future, when their healthcare needs will increase.

Be transparent when “gifting” a member of your family with cash, primarily if that family member relies on your generosity rather than getting a job himself

Make sure your spouse is aware of and in agreement with this arrangement.

Discuss aging parents’ needs and if you would be open to moving them closer to you or even into your home. How will this affect your financial situation?

6. Decide financial arrangements for children

What are your thoughts about allowances? Should children be paid for tasks that contribute to the smooth running of the household? When they are old enough to drive, should they be given a car, or should they work for it?

Should teenagers work part-time while still in school? And college? Should they help contribute to tuition? Take out student loans? What about once they have graduated from university?

Would you continue to allow them to live rent-free at home? Would you help with the rent of their first apartment?

These are all good topics to discuss with your spouse and revisit as the children grow and your financial situation changes.

7. Discuss expenses if only one spouse earns for the household

Having one stay-at-home-spouse and one wage-earner can sometimes lead to money conflicts, as the wage-earner may feel like they should have more voice in how to manage finances after marriage in the family.

This is why it is essential for the person staying at home to have some job where they feel control over money.

There are many possibilities for stay-at-home-spouses to bring in a little cash: eBay selling, freelance writing, private tutoring, in-home childcare or pet sitting, selling their crafts on Etsy, or participating in online surveys.

The goal is to feel like they are also participating in the family’s financial health and have some of their own money to do with as they like.

The wage-earner needs to recognize the contribution of the non-wage earner. They keep the house and family running, and without this person, the wage earner would have to pay someone to do this.

8. Have a financial night every month 

Managing finances as a couple may look like a simple thing that needs to be taken care of, but it’s an ongoing conversation. Financial management in marriage should be healthy. 

So you set some time aside every month to keep track of your savings and expenses. You can discuss an additional expense in the near future, or you need to save for something in the future. 

Discuss everything and make sure that you both talk about it openly. This will help you in managing finances in marriage. 

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9. If needed, ask for financial advice 

This is probably one of the most important financial tips for married couples. It would be helpful if you understand that your marriage always comes first, and if there is a problem with the couple’s finances, you should look for professional advice. 

Suppose you are looking for tips on money management or are confused about how to manage finances after marriage. In that case, many financial counselors provide financial advice for married couples. 

You can find one and look for financial advice for married couples. 

10. Don’t keep financial secrets

Financial changes after marriage can be challenging, but you need to know that keeping financial secrets can drive your marriage into a black hole. 

So many people hide their savings accounts, credit card expenses, checking accounts, etc. They spend money without telling their partners, and when their significant other finds out, the marriage turns into a war. 

It’s better to be transparent about finances after marriage. It will keep your marriage intact and help you to build a better future together. Secrets are taboo when it comes to managing finances in marriage. 

Hiding finances raises trust issues in a marriage and can be toxic to a relationship. 

Related Reading: How Discussing Finances Can Help Avoid Conflict In Marriage

11. Know each other’s spending style 

It’s best to know if your partner is a saver or a spender. One of the most common financial advice for married couples is to know who among them is a penny save and who is a spendthrift. It helps you manage your finances effectively. 

You can easily manage money in marriage by coming up with an agreement that keeps you both happy. 

You can have an expense limit that doesn’t feel like a restriction to the other partner. 

If you are having trouble coming up with an agreement that suffices the financial needs of you and your partner, you should look for professional help. 

Related Reading: How Much Does Your Partner’s Spending Habits Influence You?

12. Let go of the past, and plan future 

Maybe your spouse has made a financial blunder in the past, but you need to understand that sometimes people make wrong decisions. You both can review your financial investments and share tips on money management. 

Be active when you are planning your financial future together. This will uplift your partner’s spirit and help them focus on financial goals and targets.

Most people question the financial decisions of their partner without looking into it on their own. It would be helpful if you understand if there is a problem or not, and if there is, handle the issue delicately. 

13. Don’t overextend your budget

Managing finances in marriage can be overwhelming, especially when both partners have a stable income source. Sometimes couples don’t plan a smart future because they feel financially powerful at the moment and decide to go overboard. 

When you are managing finances in marriage, you don’t make spending decisions that will strain your relationship. 

Forex: People often stretch to buy their dream home, and a large chunk of their earnings goes towards affording it. 

Don’t make such mistakes while managing finances in marriage. 

14. Lookout for impulse buys 

If you are ready to manage money as a couple, you should do all the major expenditures together, such as cars, houses, etc. 

Sometimes people spend a lot of money on an impulse and think that they would surprise their partner only to find out that it was a wrong decision. 

Your partner should not feel that they have lost financial control in this relationship. Leaving them out of a major financial decision could lead your marriage to trouble.

Big arguments can occur if you spend too much money without consulting with your partner. It is one of the best financial tips for married couples you can get. 

Takeaway 

You are a team on equal footing, and even if only one of you works outside of the house, you both work.

Examining finances in your marriage can be a sensitive area, but the best thing you can do is be open, honest, and dedicated to continual communication about this subject.

Start your marriage off on the right foot by talking about good financial stewardship and coming up with a reasonable plan to deal with budgeting, spending, and investing.

Understand what needs to be done about finances after marriage to keep your life happy and fulfilling. 

Establishing good money management habits early on in your marriage is an integral part of a healthy, happy, and financially stable life together.