18 questions you need to ask your partner about money
Dec 07, 2020
By Molly Benjamin
I will love you “for richer or for poorer” yet it seems to be the “for poorer” bit that Aussie couples are struggling with.
According to Relationships Australia research financial stress is the No.1 cause of relationship breakdown, so how do avoid being one of the statistics when two become one?
We get it, in the early stages of romance when things are getting hot and heavy raising the subject of money can be a real buzz kill. And when is the right time to even have the money conversation? Okay maybe the first Bumble date is too early but you also don’t want to be walking down the aisle and find out your love is up to their eye balls in debt.
We here at LFC we don’t want you to catch any STDs (sexually transmitted DEBTS). So here are 18 questions we have put together for you to discuss with your honey to make sure you’re both on the Money!
- If you won a million dollars in the lottery what would your first purchase be?
- What word would you use to describe your money habit? (Thrifty, a spender, money savvy, a saver, a splurger?)
- Do you have a budget you stick to?
- Do you know how much you spend every month?
- Do you have debt? ( student loans, credit cards, personal loans or other)
- Would you lend money to a friend in need? If so how much?
- How much is okay to spend without telling the other person?
- How will we pay for bills? Share account or split everything and will you still keep your own separate bank accounts?
- How did your parents behave around money?
- Do we have equal say on how we use our money, no matter who earns more? (generally the one who earns the most makes the financial decisions)
- What are we saving for ( house, travel, holiday, wedding)
- What are our retirement goals? – such as what age and how much do you want to retire on?
- How much do you need to live on? Think about how long you’ll need to work for and whether it’s full-time?
- When will we talk about money? Date night? Monthly, yearly, quarterly weekend away etc?
- If one of you isn’t earning, will the other pay super for the non-earner?
- Perhaps one of you will raise the children, become unemployed or is unwell. What happens if one has a break from work?
- Do you have life insurance, critical health insurance or income protection insurance?
- If we have kids should they get pocket money without doing any jobs and how are we going to teach your kids about money values
- Tessa Kelman is a Senior Associate at Lander and Rogers and our Family Law Specialist.
- Lidia Smirnov is a registered Psychotherapist and Specialist Couples’ Therapist.
- Mia Taylor is a Personal Financial Adviser at Evalesco Financial Services
- Chad Penfold is the Director and Founder of Lawrep
- Betsy Westcott, Money Coach, Ladies Finance Club
- Molly Benjamin, Founder, Ladies Finance Club
Topics will include:
- What does a de facto relationship really mean?
- How should you structure your finances to put yourself in the best position if you were to separate in future?
- If Marriage is on the cards, how does this impact your finances and what discussions should you have with your partner?
- Prenups and postnups, what are they and should you enter one, and is it too late if you’re already married
- How do you start the conversation about money and what questions should you ask?
- What do you do if you both approach money with different values?
- How do you protect property you already own before you get married
- If you think your marriage/relationship is falling apart, what do you do and where do you start?
- If one you or your partner is from a different country and separated, can you go home without your partner’s consent?
- Do you need a will, why and how much will it cost you?
Chad Penfold, will also be offering 50% off Wills so if you need one, we can put you in contact. They range from $100-$550+ depending on how complicated your situation is, email us at [email protected] for more information.
