3 Keys to Become One With Your Spouse Financially

We often hear, “You’re married now, so you’re one…even your finances.” Without knowing much else, we dump our finances into one account and hope for the best. But there is so much more to being one, financially. Let’s look at 3 major components below.
1. Align on your financial core values
Aligning on your core financial values as a couple is honestly more important than “marrying” your bank accounts. Just as you are aligned spiritually, and your spiritual beliefs guide what you will or will not do, so should you align on your financial values and allow them to influence what you will and will not do, financially.
For example, two of the strongest beliefs my hubby and I share (that I encourage you to also share) are:
1) Tithing is not an option. 
2) Debt is not an option. 
My husband, Tyrone, loves to buy workout videos, and he spends more than I would on groceries (mainly because he buys real food!). He’d tell you that I spend way too much on hair products and junk food. But none of this matters! None of this causes tension in our marriage because it doesn’t go against our core financial beliefs.
2. Have a plan for your future
In addition to your core financial beliefs, you and your spouse should always have financial goals that you work toward as a couple. Having mutual financial goals strengthens your bond just like any other mutual goal. And it forces you to think about and plan for the future, together. We all want our latter to be greater, and setting financial goals greatly increases those chances.
The hubby and I have financial goals around investing and saving (e.g. emergency fund, travel fund, etc.), and we agree on how much we’re each able to contribute to each goal.
It is so encouraging to see progress and know that we got there together! Not only do these goals keep us on the same page, but they leave us in a better financial position each year.
3. Hold each other accountable
Now that you have your financial goals, it’s only right to draft a plan and hold yourself accountable. The only way to do this is with a budget. A budget helps you track your spending, so you can cut where you need to (if necessary) in order to direct funds to your financial goals. A monthly budget provides a snapshot view of your finances. With this view, it becomes easier to hold yourself and each other accountable.
Tyrone runs our day-to-day budget, while I focus on our savings. We each stick to our plan based on our financial goals and what we agreed to contribute. The budget quickly highlights if one of us isn’t holding up our end of the deal. We can then talk it through if we need to adjust our plan.
The 3 areas above are key to being one financially. If you and your spouse are ready to start you’re journey, here’s what you can do:
1. Discuss with your spouse what core financial beliefs the two of you will focus on. Allow them to guide your major financial behavior and push you to let go of the small stuff 🙂
2. Discuss with your spouse 1-2 goals that you’d both like to see accomplished. Decide on what you’re each able to contribute, and attach a date to it (1 year, 5 years, 10 years, etc.)!
3. Get started on a budget together! List your income and expenses and track your spending, especially against your financial goals. Support and encourage each other, but hold each other accountable