Relationship experts champion communication as the key to happy couplehood. This advice is especially true with money matters.  For couples celebrating their first Valentine’s Day or their 50th, getting on the same page about finances is something that will smooth the road to romantic bliss.

Communication is Key
In the early stages of a relationship, it may seem awkward to bring up money. However, getting an understanding of your romantic partner’s views on financial matters should go beyond a discussion of who is picking up the check at dinner. Having a conversation about what your parents taught you about money (or what they didn’t teach you) can be a good place to start when creating a dialogue about spending, debt and saving.  A few other conversation starters include:

• How do you feel about debt?

• How do you feel about spending?

• How do you feel about saving?

Tackle Financial Matters as a Team
According to an American Psychological Association survey, only a third of couples equally share financial decisions. This division of labor can turn out to be a source of conflict. Even if one partner handles day-to-day spending and another makes long-term money decisions, a few simple steps can help keep couples in sync.

Make it a date: Set up a regular time each month to talk about household finances. Carving out time to review finances will help keep financial goals and concerns from slipping through the cracks when schedules get busy.

Get on the same page and determine your priorities: What are the expenses your partner feels are most important? When is an expense a necessity and when is splurging on convenience items appropriate? If couples talk about spending priorities, miscommunications over how money is spent are less likely.

For more information, visit www.countryfinancial.com