Reader -

Would you enter into a committed relationship with:

• Partner A: whose salary is $75k, makes good financial decisions, and is generally financially responsible OR
• Partner B: who makes $150k, has poor financial intelligence, and is not willing to change any of their financial habits?

Money is a tricky subject in relationships, but it is an important one.

Settling down with a partner might feel like something for way later—but the truth is, who you choose to build a life with can seriously impact your financial future. In The Millionaire Next Door, the authors found that many wealthy people attribute their success to having a partner who is financially aligned—someone who’s responsible, goal-oriented, and not prone to overspending on every little thing.

Even if you’re earning good money, being with someone who’s reckless with spending or avoids financial responsibility can hold you back. Money alignment matters. If one of you is trying to budget and invest while the other is racking up credit card debt on impulse buys, it’s not just frustrating—it can sabotage your goals.

You cannot out-earn bad spending and financial habits.

That’s why it’s smart to start having money conversations early on. Chances are, you both come from different financial backgrounds. You don’t need to bust out spreadsheets on the first date, but asking questions like “How do you feel about debt?” or “Do you like to save or spend?” can tell you a lot about your future mate. Even if you know this relationship won’t be as serious, getting some practice asking money questions can make it easier when the next one gets serious.

To help you, I've included Chapter 11 of Smart Money, which covers DINK life and the 10 money questions to ask your partner so that you are aligned when it comes to money, values, and the future you want to build.

​Smart Start > Ch 11 - How to Talk to Your Partner About Money.pdf​

Have you had the money conversation with your partner? How did that go?

X Catherine

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