Real Talk 6th August 2019 by Valerie Loftus

Bills, Bills, Bills: How To Have That Tricky Money Chat With Your Other Half

It ain't sexy, but it's essential.

In the first few years of a relationship, you’re floating along in a cloud of lust and relative ignorance, financially speaking at least. How much does your paramour earn? Not sure. Enough for the weekly Friday night takeaway, anyway. Sure we don’t need money! WE ARE IN LOVE. And we can survive on the strength of that love alone.

Then things start getting serious, and you don’t know how to bring it up. You’re plucking each other’s stray hairs and breathing each other’s putrid morning breath, but having a decent, honest chat about money? No, we couldn’t possibly do that. It’s just not romantic. But here’s the thing – you probably shouldn’t start talking about weddings or houses or even living together in the first place without addressing the money situation. Namely: Do you have it? Do you need it? And what are we going to do about it?

It’s a touchy subject, so we spoke to Emilie Bellet, financial expert and author of money guide You’re Not Broke, You’re Pre-Rich, to find out how to handle it.

When is a good time to have the money conversation with your other half?

In a feature from our March issue, Cara Croke wondered when was the ‘right’ time to start discussing the possibility of marriage or children with your significant other. The money talk is another one of those scary relationship conversations, but one you should most definitely undertake sooner rather than later if you’re looking at a future together. So where do you even start?

“Don’t make it an interrogation,” advises Emilie. “While it’s important to find out as much as you can about your partner’s relationship with money early on, it’s just as wise to approach it organically.

Rather than making it feel like a job interview, you should introduce the touchy subject in a non-confrontational but matter-of-fact kind of way. Nobody likes feeling as if they’re being grilled on their spending, and talking about money can feel like opening up a can of worms, so take care with your phrasing.”

Some things you might want to ask: Do you save regularly? Have you a credit card? A pension? Have you got any debts or owe any money that’s important for me to know about? What to you is worth spending money on, and what isn’t? Are your parents currently paying any of your bills? What financial goals are you working towards, and where would you like to be in five or ten years?

It’s pretty heavy stuff, but it’s good to lay it all out on the table. Once you’ve gotten the first chat over with, Emilie suggests scheduling regular ‘money meetings’ in a neutral space, like a local café, where you can sit down together and raise concerns, budget as a couple, and talk about future financial plans.

“These are things you’d never choose to bring up over dinner after a hard day at work – and nor should you, because you’d probably be speaking from a place of stress and exhaustion,” she tells us. “At a specific, designated time it’s easier to discuss these matters calmly.”

I earn more than my partner. Should I be paying a larger percentage of our expenses?

There’s no hard and fast rule about this, as every couple will be different. One of you may be earning less than the other, but still totally willing and able to split the bills by half. It’s equally possible that one of you could be earning less but also have a loan to pay off or other financial commitments to see to each month, making an equal split harder to manage.

Be open with each other about what you can handle, and agree to check in every so often to see if that has changed. Personal finance website The Balance suggests that each partner pays the same percentage of their differing monthly incomes towards the bills, which works out fairly for all involved.

The easiest thing to do to pool your funds is to open a new bank account under both your names, and pay your bills from there. “You could transfer a predetermined amount of money to this account each month. The amount could be equal for both of you, or according to salaries,” says Emilie. “The rest of your money is kept in your personal accounts. You can then work on your household budget together but still decide to pay for other things with your ‘own’ account – for example, birthday gifts and dinners.

“It’s a good way to stash the money needed for rent and bills at the start of the month. You have a better idea of where your money is going, and if you keep on budget, the expenses won’t get mixed with your personal spending. But bear in mind that you both have full access of the account and that the money can be withdrawn by either of you.”

Yep, this is a joint account we’re talking about here, which is a pretty big step for most couples. It requires transparency, trust, and commitment to a mutual goal (ie. keeping the both of you afloat), so if the idea gives you the heebie-jeebies, you might not be ready to take that step just yet. Apps like Acasa, which manage and split household expenses for you, could be a good mid-point.

Financial adviser Emily Sanders tells HerMoney.com that the most happily married couples she’s seen are “the ones that kept their money separate for their entire marriage. It takes away some of the power and control issues that tend to be associated with how we use our money.” So keep that in mind.

I’ve just discovered my fiancé has debts. What do I do?

As tempting as it is to stick your head firmly in the sand when it comes debt, it’s incredibly important to be honest with your partner about what you owe (and how you came to owe it). If you’re on the other side, try not to be judgemental. “You’ve both got to know what you’re in for, so asking each other about outstanding debts is crucial,” says Emilie. “Whether it’s credit card debts, student debts, or informal family debts, having an idea of what’s owed will help you both when it comes down to the nitty gritty details, like drafting a strategy to repay them.”

It is probably not the best idea to pony up the cash to cover the debt yourself – or worse, sign off on a loan or credit card to help them do so. Melissa Browne, author of Unf**k Your Finances, has come up with a few ways you can support your partner while they’re paying it back, without becoming financially involved. For example: If you’re adept at managing your money, share your good habits with them. Arrange a monthly chat to see how they’re getting on with repayments. And don’t chastise them for spending money if they’re doing what they can to clear the debt.

I’m a saver, but they’re a spender living payday to payday. Does financial incompatibility spell the end of our relationship?

Not necessarily! As Emilie says, it’s important to recognise who you are with money. “You’re not just a ‘saver’ or a ‘spender’ – we’re all a bit of both,” she points out. “We didn’t receive any formal financial education, so most of our financial habits were acquired while we were very young, and money means so many different things for different people.”

Having regular, honest chats about your finances, and being open to each other’s perspectives, is (hopefully) the key to less money-related arguments down the line. And in a way, that’s probably the most romantic thing you can do for each other.

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