Financial Education

What You Need to Know About Marriage and Money

A few years back, I co-authored “The New Love Deal: Everything You Must Know Before Marrying, Moving In or Moving On.” My co-authors (and good friends) are Gemma Allen, a famed divorce attorney, and Michele Lowrance, a former divorce court judge and now sought-after mediator. The advice in the book is timeless, and it makes a perfect wedding shower gift.

So, in this season of wedding planning, here are a few money tips from our book:

  1. TALK OPENLY ABOUT MONEY. We suggest starting this premarital money discussion at a quiet time, with a glass of wine — just one — to get things flowing. Start by writing down and sharing your income and your debt obligations, including student loans and credit card debt.
    If that’s too much of a disclosure challenge before you commit, how can you possibly plan for a lifetime together? This discussion does not preclude keeping money separate; in fact, that’s often a good solution. But lack of basic honesty about money matters is a fatal flaw in your future.
  1. RESPECT EACH OTHER’S MONEY PERSONALITY. There are two basic types of money attitude: saver and spender. The source may be genetic or come from experiences as a young child. But not only can’t you change your own money attitude easily, it’s almost impossible to change your partner. Recognize those differences and set up systems that allow each of you to function without stress. Recognize that dramatic disagreements about money style can wreak havoc on your relationship. This is the time to decide if money management is a deal-breaker.
  2. SET UP A MONEY SYSTEM. It’s important to set up a structure for handling money in marriage. Will you each contribute equally to a household account that is used for basic bills? If your incomes are disparate, will you each contribute the same fixed percentage of after-tax income to the household account? You can still keep separate accounts for personal spending — whether for clothing or birthday gifts to each other.
  3. PLAN YOUR SAVINGS STRATEGY. If you both are working, you should each have a retirement plan at work or an IRA to save for your own future. But will you also have joint savings in a special account to which each contributes? The money could be designated for a vacation or down payment. And how will you invest that money? Respect your partner’s risk tolerance when it comes to joint investments.
  4. MANAGE INSURANCE JOINTLY. Homeowners’ or renters’ insurance will likely be paid out of your joint household account. But if both are working, does one have better health coverage? And if premiums are deducted from her salary, what extra should he contribute to the household expenses? Plus, if your proposed lifestyle demands two incomes, each might consider life insurance with the other as beneficiary.

Perhaps you want to make a written agreement — a prenuptial that could spell out who gets what in case this doesn’t work out, as well as any other promises, financial or otherwise, you choose to make to each other.

Or maybe just an open discussion will set you on the right path. But if, at the outset, you feel you need to hide your outstanding debt or your spending compulsion or your penurious savings habits, I promise that your marriage is eventually doomed. And that’s the Savage Truth.

This content was legally licensed byAdvisorStream.

Theodore Spinardi, CFP®

Founder & Senior Managing Director

Summit Wealth Group

Summit Wealth Group, LLC is a Registered Investment Advisor (“RIA”), under the Securities Exchange Commission, (“SEC”) with office locations in Oklahoma, California and Texas. Summit Wealth Group provides asset management and related services for clients nationally. Summit Wealth Group will file and maintain all applicable licenses as required by the state securities boards and/or the SEC, as applicable. Summit Wealth Management renders individualized responses to persons in a particular state only after complying with all regulatory requirements, or pursuant to an applicable state exemption or exclusion. Summit Wealth Group, LLC provides prospective clients with a copy of our current Form ADV, Part 2A and relevant ADV Part 2B (s) and our Client Relationship Summary prior to commencing an Advisory relationship. However, at any time, you can view our current Form ADVs and Client Relationship Summary on our web site. In addition, you can contact us to request a hardcopy. If you have any questions regarding Compliance and Regulatory information, please contact us at info@summitwealth.net.

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Meet Kate

Kate graduated from Oral Roberts University with a degree in Global Ministry and the Marketplace and went directly into full-time Ministry at her local church following graduation.

 

With a passion for helping people win and stewarding an atmosphere of excellence, she is driven to elevate systems, procedures, and programs. As a lifelong Tulsa resident, Kate recently married her high school sweetheart in July of 2022. When Kate is not in the office, you will find her serving the local church, playing pickleball, enjoying coffee with friends, and cheering on her husband, Brody, at the golf course.