What Is Your Financial Compatibility?

Looking for a good gift for your partner this Valentine’s Day? How about an open conversation about money? Okay, it’s not the type of present that people show off to their friends, but finances are one of the top causes of conflict in relationships. Often the conflict stems not from things that are inherently stressful – such as not being able to pay the mortgage – but rather from partners having equally valid, but different, views. Seeing where you both stand can help you come up with mutually satisfying solutions. (If you can’t do it on your own, seek the help of a professional.) You and your partner should answer the quiz below separately, then share and discuss your answers.

1. Our checking and savings accounts should be:

A. Joint
B. Separate
C. A combination (e.g., joint checking account and separate savings accounts)

2. We should confer with each other before making any purchase exceeding:

$_______

3. We should always pay off our credit card balances in full each month:

A. Agree
B. Disagree in the following circumstances: __________

4. It is never a good idea to take out personal loans:

A. Agree
B. Disagree in the following circumstances: __________

5. We should save $____ a month

6. Our most important financial goals are: __________

7. We should never lend money to family members:

A. Agree
B. Disagree in the following circumstances: __________

8. Prioritize the expenses below, with 1 being the most important and 10 being the least important:

___ Rent/mortgage ___ Credits cards/loans
___ Savings ___ Dining out
___ Cell phone ___ Religious/charity donations
___ Vacation ___ Entertainment
___ Clothing ___ Hobbies

9. We should spend ___ hours a month reviewing and discussing our finances

10. How should the financial responsibilities be divided?:

I do: __________

You do: __________

We both do: __________