Healthy Money Arguments For Couples

Getting engaged last spring has not changed up my life too much just yet. However, one of the areas that were impacted was my financial situation. Saving and paying down debt has become a priority as I want to be in a positive situation the second I am married. After our engagement party a few months ago, Miss Fiancée and I decided to open up a joint checking account where we could deposit the numerous checks that people were generously giving us (If they didn’t write the check out to both of us, this wouldn't be a problem!).

Every check that we get goes into this account and we have no intentions of using this cash for any wedding expenses. The lady and I had a discussion lately that we were going to use this account to fund our honeymoon, as well as furnish our first home next year. However, over the weekend, we had our first little minor small tiny squabble over what we are putting in that account.

As you know I do have a savings account of my own, my glorious ING Direct account. Over the weekend was the Hindu celebration known as Diwali, the festival of lights, which also marks the beginning of the New Year for us. As a nice gesture, I received various cash amount from both my new family and my old family to the sum of $400 (Happy New Year to ME) as did Miss Fiancée. Over the weekend, she mentioned to me that we should take the money and throw it into our joint checking account. I obviously dropped the ball with this one!

I suggested that I would just throw it into my savings, in case I needed to use it. I did have a few things in mind that I could use it for the moment I got it. She wanted to know for what exactly and I responded with the same "Just in case I need it" response. Strike two. This sort of response is not recommended to be used as an answer with the person you plan on spending the rest of your life with because it just stenches of secrecy. I ended up depositing $300 in the joint account and giving some of the remainder to my sister for Diwali. Compromises solve all problems, but making sure the situation does not get heated prior to the compromise is the key!

Be open, be honest, and be clear. I have fears about money, couples, and combining the two. I have heard horror stories, seen divorces occur, and watched Judge Judy and they all are on my list of "Things I Do Not Want Happening To Me Before I Die". I did pass a small hurdle in the grand scheme of things, but I do know that I need to clean up my financial act by the end of the year (search CC Debt on my site) in order to get this thing off to the right start and keep the future Miss Wife at ease.