with your partner is a game changer. By pooling y
Combining finances with
your partner is a game changer. By pooling your resources and sharing expenses,
you can end
business up with stronger growth potential and a larger safety net.
While combining finances
is great, it comes with the shared responsibility of managing that money. When
both of your li
find velihoods are at stake, tempers can flare and worldviews can
collide. It’s no wonder that money issues are the second leading cause of
divorce, behind infidelity.
Thankfully, managing
money with your partner isn’t rocket science. Here are some simple and
effective tips for budgeting as a unit.
1. Divide Discretionary Funds Equally
Money can breed
resentme
house nt in a marriage, especially when one or both parties feel like they’re
getting the raw end of the deal. For example, if you’re buying new shoes while
your partner is wearing the same pair for five years, they might feel like
you’re being too frivolous.
That’s why it helps to
allocate the same amount of money for discretionary, or non-essential,
purchases.
When you divide up the money, set some basic ground rules on what
it should be used for. Should you use it if you’re grabbing lunch at work with
coworkers? Does it include gifts for the other person’s birthday? Ironing out
these details beforehand will make the transition smoother. You can use online savings platform to manage and set aside the funds. Fundall for
instance can help you set limits on your spending.
2. Recognize Each Person’s Priorities
Part of committing your
life to another person is being involved in their interests. If your husband
cares about orchids, you should ask questions and care about them too. If your
wife starts taking martial arts classes, you should learn the difference
between a high kick and and a front kick.
But caring is more than
just lip service. It’s also recognizing when those interests, values and
priorities influence the budget, and allowing for some leeway to accommodate
them.
If your partner really
cares about retiring early, then saving more than 15% for retirement is a
priority you need to respect. If you really love to travel for extended periods
of time, then saving money in a travel fund is something your partner should
support.
Understanding your
partner’s priorities is key to a healthy financial partnership. When you don’t
respect their decisions and choices, that’s when conflict sets in.
Sit down together and
make a list of your personal short-term and long-term goals. Then, make a list
of your mutual goals, like buying a new house or saving for your child’s
college education.
Go over your budget and
decide how much to allocate for each goal. If you don’t have enough for all of
them, decide what’s most important to both of you. Recognize that sacrifices
will need to be made, and try to be as equitable as possible.
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