Are you and your partner financially compatible?

You and your partner take similar approaches to managing money – whether that’s spending on items and experiences you value or saving up for life’s big milestones. You operate as a team financially, and you’re on a similar path in building wealth and reaching planned goals. We see a bright financial future ahead!

Some tips to reach your financial goals together:

• Keep checking in around money. Your goals might change over time — and regular money talks will help ensure you’re always on the same page.
• Build your wealth by investing.  Finding an investment strategy that works for you will set you up for a comfortable future together.
• Make room in your budget for splurges. To reward yourself for all your hard work together.

You and your partner have different outlooks when it comes to finances. And that’s ok! The good news is you can balance each other’s financial habits, lean on each other to set shared goals and ensure you stay on track.

Create a financial future that works for both of you by:

• Staying flexible. Successful partnerships are all about compromise, especially when it comes to money. Work from a flexible budget that makes room for “unplanned” or impulse spending, so you can splurge in moderation but still reach your goals.
• Making financial planning exciting by turning it into a date night in — complete with your favourite takeout.
• Splurging in moderation to feel rewarded by your money, whether you’re hoping to upgrade your home or planning your dream vacation.

You and your partner rarely – if ever – discuss finances. But if you’re combining your life with someone, how you financially manage your shared life is an unavoidable conversation.

The good news? Money talks don’t have to be intimidating — and they can even bring you closer together.

Set your discussions up for success by:

• Making it a date. Even if you aren’t thrilled by financial planning, having the conversation over your favorite meal — or even a bottle of wine — can help make it fun.
• Being emotionally honest. Lots of us grow up with embarrassment or shame around finances, which can make it tempting to avoid money conversations altogether. If you’re not comfy talking about money, let your partner know — it can bring you even closer.
• Reward yourself afterwards. Set aside some fun money to treat yourselves for financial planning — after all, the point of financial planning is to live the life you want!

Conversations about money may lead to disagreements between you & your partner, whether it’s over shared financial responsibilities or concern over your spending or saving habits. And, trust us, we get it: Money is an emotional topic!

While money can introduce tension, it can often serve as a rewarding hurdle for couples to overcome as a team. Spats don’t mean you aren’t compatible, but it may mean you need to mix up your approach to financial planning.

Here’s how to set yourself up to make the conversations easier:

• Lead with empathy. Let’s be honest: Many of the fights about money aren’t just about the money. Making sure each partner feels heard goes a long way to diffusing tension.
• Get creative. There are no hard-and-fast rules for financial planning as a couple, and brainstorming solutions together might uncover an approach that works for both of you.
• Focus on the future. The fun part of financial planning is mapping out how to achieve life’s milestones — so look beyond the money to bond over your shared ambitions and goals.

You and your partner are still fresh – and don’t yet know what your shared financial journey would look like. Now is a great time to have the money talk and build a firm financial foundation for your relationship.

Here’s how to do it right:

• Focus on goals. If it’s too early for the nitty-gritty of money management, talk about your goals and ambitions — and invite your partner to do the same.
• Be transparent. Whether you’re a saver, a spender, or something in between, being open about your financial habits can help you and your partner map out a path forward.
• Keep it casual. You and your partner get to set the pace for money conversations, so move forward in a way that feels comfortable to both of you.