Six Financial Conversations Every Couple Should Have

1. Your Finances

Start with a clear picture of your current finances, including:

• Income
• Savings and investments
• Debt
• Monthly expenses
• Other financial obligations

Even if one person manages the finances, both partners should understand the overall picture.

2. Your Goals

Talk about what you want to accomplish together over the next few years.

That might include buying a home, starting a family, traveling, changing careers, starting a business, or preparing for retirement.

Knowing your priorities can make it easier to decide where your money should go.

3. Spending & Saving

Discuss how you want to handle shared expenses, savings, individual spending, and larger purchases.

There is no single right system. What matters is finding an approach that works for both of you.

4. Emergencies

Review your emergency savings and insurance coverage.

Consider what would happen if you faced a major expense or one person suddenly lost their income. Identifying gaps now can make unexpected situations easier to manage later.

5. Retirement

Talk about when you hope to retire and what you want retirement to look like.

Then review whether your retirement accounts, contributions, investments, and employer benefits are helping you move toward those goals.

6. Estate Planning

Make sure you both understand what would happen if one partner died or became unable to make financial decisions.

Review your:

• Beneficiary designations
• Wills
• Powers of attorney
• Health care directives
• Life insurance

These documents should also be revisited after major life changes.

Keep Talking

Financial planning is not a one-time conversation. Goals, careers, families, and priorities change, so it is helpful to check in regularly.