Marriage and money

结婚的决定可能是你一生中最激动人心、最重要的决定之一. However, money in relationships 对于很多考虑结婚的人来说，这是一个棘手的问题吗. 关于金钱的争论阻碍了许多婚姻，经济问题或分歧是离婚的主要原因.

对伴侣来说，开诚布公地讨论财务状况是很重要的， budgeting 以及他们个人的财务个性或对金钱的感受. These conversations may be uncomfortable at first, 但事实可能会证明，避免它们的代价要高得多. 以下是婚前讨论中需要考虑的几点.

Yours, mine and ours

Taking a look at the before and after picture 你的财务状况可能会给谈话带来一些清晰和信心.

• Create and discuss a budget that includes both monthly and non-monthly expenses.
• 弄清楚每个人都给婚姻带来了什么，是好是坏(工资、储蓄、 debt and spending habits).
• Talk about how each partner grew up with money. For many marriages, there is a direct correlation between spending habits and views of money.

Questions to ask:

• Will you keep a budget, and if so, what will it look like?
• 你会合并所有的账户，保留单独的账户，还是创建一个混合账户?
• How will you title the accounts?
• What are your short and long-term financial goals?
• Would a financial advisor or professional help?
• Do you each have a retirement plan?

Know your financial personality

如果你保持沟通渠道畅通，消费者和储蓄者可以和平共处. Understanding the psychology of spending money 为什么一个人花钱可以帮助你在结婚后养成良好的理财习惯. 努力理解你的伴侣冲动地挥霍什么, their attitude towards saving and investing, 以及他们可能试图隐藏的金融恐惧. 一旦你们对彼此的金钱价值观和习惯有了很好的了解，你们就可以更好地建立共同的财务目标.

Questions to ask each other:

• Does the higher earner get to spend more?
• 只要有足够的资金，你会从联名账户中消费吗?
• Do you have to answer to each other for expenses?
• 个人开支是否从每个人每月的分配中扣除?
• 在购买大宗商品之前，是否需要与你的另一半讨论具体的金额?

Talk about debt

Debt is something that most people have, and nobody likes, 但这是一个需要处理的不幸现实. Understanding each other's debt stories, credit scores 在未来一起购买之前，信用记录是要考虑的重要因素.

More money and marriage questions

• Do you want to get premarital counseling?
• 你想要一份婚前协议，以合同的形式界定婚姻解除后双方的财产权利吗, as well as how they will divide debts? If so, consult a qualified professional.
• 继承后持有的资产会发生什么?
• 谁支付账单，支付比例是多少，如何支付?
• When do you want to retire and what does retirement mean to you?
• What will your estate plan look like?
• 你的风险承受能力如何?这将如何影响你的投资选择?
• Do you have enough insurance 万一你们中有人出了什么事，提供一个财务安全网?
• 谁的医疗保健和其他工作福利对你们双方都更有利?
• 你们俩有谁希望在父母年老时在经济上帮助他们吗?
• 你对自己想要的退休生活有类似的期望吗?

Having a financial plan 对于想要结婚的人来说，这总是好的一步吗. A budgeting calculator may help you get a handle on where your money goes. 在你们的讨论中，一定要考虑如何保护你的收入和财产. Be sure to check your insurance coverage and make changes where needed. Your State Farm® agent can answer your questions about life insurance, disability income insurance, and homeowners insurance or renters insurance.