RELATIONSHIP
Why a Money Date Is Important for Successful Relationships
Only the obscenely rich can afford to not talk about money.
As for the rest of us average joes who weren’t born with silver spoons in our mouths, it’s important to learn how to navigate our finances.
A money date is one way for couples to have a serious discussion about any issues related to money — what kind of expenses they’ve had, how to budget, and what they have to do to afford the things they need in their relationship.
It’s not always easy for people to have conversations about such a sensitive topic, but below are some of the reasons why a money date is definitely worth all the trouble:
It lowers the risk of debt and other financial problems.
Being able to openly talk to your partner about money matters allows you to properly analyze your financial obligations.
You can share with each other your plans and concerns, which can help you arrive at solutions much more efficiently. With someone to help you sort these things out, the chances of you running into big problems becomes significantly lower.
It improves your communication with each other.
When couples can have a regular money date, their communication when it comes to other things will also greatly improve.
Talking about money is often considered taboo. Especially for people who are struggling and don’t consider themselves financially stable, discussing finances can make them feel vulnerable.
But if couples are able to talk to each other about money, other aspects of their relationship can become easier to navigate.
It helps you identify your priorities.
When you’re in a relationship with someone, you share parts of your life with each other. You’ll need to be comfortable enough to make plans and identify which important things require your time and attention.
Sorting out your priorities as a couple will become much easier when you can also talk about financial matters. This is where the idea of a money date comes in.
When you carve out a schedule for a regular money date night with your partner, you can decide how you’ll allocate funds for all of your plans. A romantic getaway? This is how much money you’ll have to spend. A new car? Maybe not until one of you gets that promotion.
Your life together is, in some ways, a huge investment. It is a balancing act that will need a proper management of your resources.
It builds trust between couples.
By the time you and your partner decide to commit to each other for the long haul, you’ll need to look past the feeling of bliss and confront the practical aspects of your relationship.
These aspects include your financial obligations.
You’ll need to treat each other as equals who can talk about what your relationship needs. This involves a great deal of trust.
When you decide to have a regular money date, you and your partner will be able to build that trust over time. You’ll know each other’s goals and priorities.
You will have no trouble dealing with money problems that often break couples who can’t depend on each other the same way.
