Presented by So, you and your partner have decided to share money! Whether it's because you are getting married, moving in together, or combining finances to save, it's a big step in any relationship. Like any major relationship change, it's important to have a conversation with your S/O and ask each other questions. Before you make a decision, you'll need some answers, especially when it comes to money. These conversations aren't the easiest (they can be pretty awkward!), but don't worry because we're going to share nine questions you should ask your bae before you share your money! These will ensure you both have the best understanding of each other's finances so you can plan for a healthy financial relationship. Sound good? Let's get into it. 1. What is the purpose of us sharing our money? Before you dive into just sharing all your expenses and savings, it's important to answer the question about why you're doing it in the first place. Are you getting married? Moving in together? Saving for a trip? Whatever the reason, make sure it's a valid one that you both understand. You should also both be on the same page with how much you are sharing; is it going to be every cent? Also, it's important to realize that maybe sharing expenses isn't the right decision at this stage in your relationship, and that's OK too! View this post on Instagram Start ‘em young! #piggybank #babyboy #babygirl #gift #giftforkids #babyshower #babyshowergift A post shared by Bubbles and Bows🎀 (@bubblesandbowsdesigns) on Jan 26, 2020 at 1:23pm PST 2. What is your yearly income before or after taxes? This may seem like an obvious question, but it's an important one! If you're going to share money, you should be aware of how much each of you is earning and how you can both contribute to your shared account. It's not safe to assume that both of you are making the same amount of money. Be honest with each other so you can budget fairly. You know what they say: honesty is key in any relationship! View this post on Instagram 2019 Tax Year. Don't miss out on great opportunity to maximize your return. #taxseason #customers #h&rblock #libertytax #turbotax #bookkeeping #financial #calculating #business #irs #pens #taxseason #accounting #military A post shared by SANIRA TAX (@saniratax) on Jan 17, 2020 at 7:19pm PST 3. Do you have any debt? This may not be the easiest topic to discuss, but it's one of the most vital. When combining your finances with someone else, you should both be aware of each other's debts. Debt can be from many different things: school loans, house loans, credit card payments, or anything else. When budgeting for future expenses, you and your S/O should have a plan for paying off your current debts. We know, debt sucks. But you and your partner can figure it out together — if you're honest. View this post on Instagram WE ARE DEBT FREE!!! @rayalcantar and I used to think we were doing just fine with money and that debt was a normal part of life. We had some student loans 👩🏽🎓 credit cards 💳 a car payment 🚗....we were just, well...normal. What we didn’t know was how much that debt was weighing us down. When we sat down to look at the budget to buy a house 🏡 we knew that this was a far off dream with all these payments lying around. We realized that *normal* kind of sucked 👎🏼 and we were motivated to get control of our biggest wealth building tool - our income. If we didn't have all these payments going out to other people we could invest our money into things that really meant something to us. We found out early on in this journey that personal finance is 80% behavior and only 20% head knowledge...and that the biggest obstacle to completing this goal of debt freedom would be who was staring back at us in the mirror 🙈 The last 24 months have been some of the hardest (it was like Financial Fitness Boot Camp 🏋🏻♀️🏃🏽♀️!!) but also some of the most humbling and strengthening for our marriage. Weekly budget meetings (and our fair share of tears and disagreements), weekly meal prep, constantly saying *no* 😢 when all our friends were having fun, a high five 🙌🏼 and kiss 😘 as @rayalcantar and I would pass each other at the house between our full time jobs to our side jobs...and sooo many peanut butter🥜and jelly sandwiches 🥪 But, you know what, it was ABSOLUTELY WORTH IT 🙌🏼 to have consumer debt out of our life forever. Our future looks so promising now as we look ahead to investing in our dreams 🏡 🏝 ✈️ and being outrageously generous along the way! As @daveramsey says, “live like no one else so later you can live and give like no one else.” . . . . . . . . . . . . . #debtfree #debtfreecommunity #debtfreejourney #debtfreescream #livelikenooneelse #gazelleintense #daveramseybabysteps #babystepper #babysteps #babystep2 #mealprep #celebrate #accomplishments #instagood #pictureoftheday #financialfreedom #sidehustle #budget #everydollar A post shared by Dominique Cordero (@la_mariposa_vagabunda) on Jan 21, 2020 at 9:37am PST 4. How much money do you have saved? Aside from salary and debt, you or your partner may have some money saved up too. Has either of you started a retirement savings plan? Do you have money set aside in another account? These things are important to discuss, too. With savings, one of you may have a down payment for a house, or you can help each other pay off debts so that you can start a new chapter in your life together, debt-free! How nice does that sound? Debt-free has a nice ring to it. View this post on Instagram I'd have 1 euro cause you never leave my mind🤣😳❤ • • • • • #wholesomememe #wholesomejar #wholesome #cutememe #lovelymeme #jar #moneyjar #swearjar #couplememe #couple #cutecouplememe #owo #kawaii #cute #cutejar #brokelife A post shared by 🥰💞Teehee💞🥰 (@whole.some._.posts) on Jan 24, 2020 at 9:29am PST 5. How do you feel about us sharing money? This is something you may not have thought to ask your partner, but it's SO key! Not all questions have to be about the exact amount of dollars and bills. It's also a good idea to ask your partner how they feel about this. Maybe they're nervous about sharing money; it's likely their first time making this decision with someone. Having a conversation and letting your partner talk about any concerns is a great way to get comfortable with each other about sharing money! View this post on Instagram Well it’s official your stuck with me ! It’s been a long time in the making, but it’s finally ours ! It was an amazing experience designing this house together and thanks to you it all came together perfectly 👌 #home #blessed #love #couple #housekeys A post shared by luke lapierre (@lvlaps93) on Jan 29, 2019 at 7:23pm PST 6. Do you have any future plans for your career? Even if you are both in a great place with your careers right now, does one of you have plans for that to change? A great question to ask is if either of you plans to go back to school for any reason, if you want to make a career change, or if you see yourself in a different place job-wise. Going back to school can put you back into debt for a while, and taking a new job or switching your career can always be risky. Make sure your partner knows about any plans you have for this, and ask them to tell you about theirs too. View this post on Instagram One of those cute little desk shots but it didn’t seem totally me so here’s what I like it to look like and then scroll for what’s likely to actually be seen. Play a little eye spy on the second photo-Nic *Yes that’s a buffalo chicken sandy *Jeffrey my mascot *Random LEGO from my kid *Kleenex because anyone who knows me knows I have sinus probs *sweet tarts for my sweet tooth *lens wipes are life *looking at funny memes on my phone *all the to-do lists *the jewellery I always take off when I edit. 🤷🏼♀️ *and a simple book #thisisme #reallife #workdesk #studiolife #bellevilleontario #bellevillephotographer #portraitphotographer #lifestylephotographer #bayofquinte #quinteareaphotographer #capturelife #instagood #love #photography #nikon #canadianphotographer #nikonphotographer #ontariophotos #portraitperfection #create #collectivelycreative #nikonD800 #nikond750 #sigmaart A post shared by NVISION PHOTOGRAPHY (@nvisionphotos) on Jan 26, 2020 at 10:01am PST 7. Have you considered your ideal monthly mortgage or rent budget? Based on your combined incomes, you both should come to an understanding of what your ideal mortgage or rent payments are. A good way to figure this out is to decide how much you can afford using a realistic measure. What if one of you were to temporarily lose your job? How much do you have saved up in case something happens? Pick a realistic budget that you can still afford with your salary and savings if something happens. Be prepared and plan ahead! View this post on Instagram Home sweet home new tenant! 🏡 . In the beginning of the month, we handed over the keys to the Powell house. In order to make the transition easy and welcoming for the tenant, we provided them with a few items. . First and probably most important, a welcome binder full of needed information about the home, the neighborhood, and a copy of the lease. 📖 . Next, a welcome basket providing the tenant those things you just need right away, like toilet paper and trash bags. 🧺 . And last but not least, this amazing keychain from @thehartwoodco ! The more your tenant feels like home in your property, the better they will treat it and the better the relationship you’ll have with them. 🔑 . What small things do you provide or do for your new residents? . . . . . #biggerpockets #rentalproperty #realestateinvestor #investmentproperty #realestateinvesting #southjersey #newjerseyrealestate #realestatelife #buyandhold #financialfreedom #housetohome #investforthefuture #househunters #richdadpoordad #fixerupper #webuyhouses #houseflipping #setforlife #buildyourempire #homesweethome #housekeys #keychain #handoverthekeys #woodkeychain #newtenant #landlord #landlordlife #passiveincomestream #propertymanager #shopsmalllove A post shared by Rentals to Wealth (@rentalstowealth) on Feb 16, 2019 at 7:27am PST 8. How do you currently budget your monthly earnings? We all know our rent or mortgage is a part of our monthly budget, but there are other things you should keep in mind. For example, how much does your partner set aside for fun, for emergencies, and for recurring expenses like Netflix? Do either of you like to travel, and do you set aside a few dollars every month to save for a trip? It's good to know how much each of you sets aside each month for these extra bills and expenses so you can come up with a new plan together! A great app to help you with paying bills is Paytm Canada: an app that helps facilitate bill payment. In a nutshell, you download the app and pay your bills (credit card, electricity, etc). The more bills you pay, the more Paytm Points you earn, and these points can then be redeemed for rewards! Who doesn't love a fun way to pay bills? View this post on Instagram Another Monday means another week of bringing you rewards 🥳💸 A post shared by Paytm Canada (@paytm_canada) on Aug 12, 2019 at 9:02am PDT 9. How do you want to communicate purchases to each other? This isn't something every couple does, and you definitely don't have to tell each other about every purchase. But, you should be honest with each other about your spending habits. Your partner will likely appreciate if you let them know when you plan to go shopping for a new outfit, or if you're going out for bday drinks with the gals. Since you've combined money into one account, part of your finances is also your partner's. Decide what's important for you both to share with each other; you'll both appreciate the honesty! View this post on Instagram Calling all students! You can now pay your tuition with a credit card through Paytm (T&C’s apply). And yes, you'll still earn points. Save time & money when you pay all your back to school bills in one app! 📲💸 . . . . #savings #paytmrewards #students #universitylife #ryersonuniversity #instagood #uoft #yorkuniversity #mcgill #backtoschool #backtoschool2019 #billsbillsbills #tuition #ocad #humbercollege #studentlife #instadaily #elevatetheeveryday #persuepretty A post shared by Paytm Canada (@paytm_canada) on Aug 28, 2019 at 8:31am PDT So, there you have it: nine important questions you should ask bae before you decide to officially share your funds. Don't be too nervous; if you're sharing money then you must be pretty far in your relationship, and that's exciting! And, to help you along the way, you've got Paytm Canada to support you! No matter where you are, pay your bills from the convenience of the Paytm Canada app on your smartphone. It's THAT easy. The Paytm Canada mobile app is available to download for free from the Google Play Store and Apple Store. For more information about the Paytm app, you can check out their Instagram, too!
