EVERYDAY MONEY

What can be more everyday than marriage? Ask your favourite married couple what makes their marriage work and they are unlikely to say it’s because they found their financial soul mate.

The smartest financial decision you will ever make may be marrying someone who has the similar attitudes to money. This could in fact be your most valuable asset – or your largest liability.

Although we now marry for love, so much of what we want in life boils down to dollars and cents.

Test the following guidelines with your significant other:

• Talk and share goals, ask tough questions, share your financial health and lifestyle dreams.

• Run your home like a business, make a budget and keep track of earnings, expenses and debts.

• Be supportive of concerns, having a supportive partner helps professionally which trickles down to the bottom line.

• Enjoy – but within reason, create a cash cushion and live a lifestyle you can sustain.

• Use a mediator, an independent third party, whether a financial planner or therapist.

• Maintain some independence

• And invest in your marriage – spend time together.