If you’re a fan of pop culture financial queen, Suze Orman, you would know about her signature financial advice, which is to consider “people first, then money, then things.” But she also counsels that when it comes to people, the self should take precedence over others. Selfish as it may sound, helping yourself financially first is the only way to do it if you want to help others, too.

So how does planning for the future with your partner or spouse fit into the picture? Don’t most couples treat themselves as a single entity bound together by everlasting love and friendship, such that money shouldn’t be an issue for them at all? Well, the thing is, you need to make love and money work together. If one of you has weaker financial management skills, for example, do you just accept it as it is? If you’re sailing on a rocky love boat, do you still think it’s reasonable to pool your resources? Having financial literacy is necessary if you want to be able to continue paying your bills, get out of debt, provide for your future kids, and so on.


Money mistake no. 1: Keeping money matters to yourself
This is one of the worst money mistakes couples will ever make. Keeping communication lines open is very important to preserve the elements of transparency and trust in any relationship.

People who plan to move in together should talk about financial matters, like how they would share their household expenses, how they would be keeping their money (joint or separate bank accounts), how much they intend to spend on the short and long-term, and what their goals are.

Click here to read more.