Posts Tagged ‘Valentine’s Day’

Before Valentine’s Day, Use These 5 Tips for Financial Intimacy In Your Relationship

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner and as much as the holiday is about romance, finances also play a big role in what happens on Feb. 14th.

Guys are often under pressure to come up with the “big” gift – like an expensive engagement ring – or to make some other dramatic show of their love and affection.

And even among couples that have already tied the knot, money matters can loom large. Surveys show that most U.S. couples argue about money, and half of all couples report having separate accounts.

If you want to achieve financial harmony in your relationship — especially ahead of Valentine’s Day – try these five tips: Continue reading “Before Valentine’s Day, Use These 5 Tips for Financial Intimacy In Your Relationship” »

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Valentine’s Day Tips #9 and #10 for Love and Money

By Lynnette Khalfani-Cox, The Money Coach

This is the last entry of 5 sets of “Valentine’s Day Tips for Love and Money” geared to help you achieve financial harmony in your relationshipRead the first set here, the second here, the third here and the fourth here.

9. Retirement happens.  Plan Accordingly. Given the current financial crisis, younger generations are worried most about not having enough to live the way they want to, while those over 45 worry more about having resources for old age and retirement.  The under-45 crowd could learn a lot from its elders.  There’s no time like the present to start saving for retirement, especially for couples.  Sit down together and evaluate your respective 401K plans, then make your collective contributions to the plan that offers the best benefits – higher employee matching, for example —instead of each contributing blindly to your separate accounts. If you have maxed out the matching options under one 401K, and still have extra funds to put toward retirement, then consider other investment options, such as the other spouse’s retirement plan if employee-matching is available there. Free money in the way of matching, tax credits, tax deductions, tax-deferred savings, should typically win out over those that don’t offer such benefits .

10. It’s OK to have some financial independence, too. While it’s imperative to plan your financial future together, many couples still want their own money to spend as they like. In fact, over half of all couples keep some sort of separate bank accounts.  The smartest solution is to keep joint bank accounts to pay household bills but also separate checking accounts for personal spending.  Just make sure to agree on how much each of you contributes to your joint accounts — take into consideration what you earn.

Valentine’s Day Tips #7 and #8 for Love and Money

By Lynnette Khalfani-Cox, The Money Coach

This is the fourth of 5 sets of “Valentine’s Day Tips for Love and Money.” Read the first set here, the second here and the third here. Come back tomorrow for the final of the 10 tips to help you achieve financial harmony in your relationship.

7. The first date is awkward enough – the first check doesn’t have to be. For those on a first date this Valentine’s Day, be sure to manage expectations about who pays the check before the waiter comes looking inquisitively at the two of you. In a PayPal study, men were more likely to say that they should pay for the first date, but women were more likely to say that the bill should be paid equally or through some split not based on gender.  Agreeing in advance on a payment plan that pleases everyone could eliminate some of the check-dividing awkwardness, which could even increase the likelihood of a “Date #2.”

8. Don’t stop giving gifts to each other, no matter how tight your budgets get. When times are stressful and budgets are tight, it’s all the more important to be open and expressive in your relationship.   If you’re cash-strapped, the best advice is to invest in thoughtful gifts that don’t cost a dime; they’re usually the ones with the most meaning. This Valentine’s Day, bring out some old movies or photo albums and make it a date night.  The one rule: no talking about money.  But, if you can’t bear to skip the gift — for Valentine’s Day, an upcoming birthday or a holiday — remember that there are options other than credit. Look into layaway plan at your local retailer, or try another option like Bill Me Later, which gives you 90 days to pay with promotional financing, all without using a credit card.

Valentine’s Day Tips #5 and #6 for Love and Money

By Lynnette Khalfani-Cox, The Money Coach

This is the third of 5 sets of “Valentine’s Day Tips for Love and Money.” Read the first set here and the second here. Come back each week day this week for more tips to help you achieve financial harmony in your relationship.

5. In love and money, old stereotypes about men and women die hard. More than one-third of the women surveyed by PayPal said they share primary income responsibility with their partners, but only about a quarter of men said the same.  What gives?  Is he understating her contributions or overstating his own?

Don’t let stereotypical disconnects between women and men’s money-making abilities wreak havoc on your relationship.  Talk to each other about the contributions you each make to the shared bottom line: be clear and be honest. Make sure you’re on the same page in your financial planning and always resist the urge to be competitive.

6. Stop secret spending; it isn’t sexy. More than one in ten of PayPal’s respondents admit to hiding purchases from their partners.  Why all the secrets?  Even if you don’t always agree on each other’s spending habits, you can at least agree that any purchase over a certain amount ($200, for example) will be discussed in advance.  Such easy relationship guidelines can go a long way in creating financial harmony. One out of ten couples have ended a relationship due at least in part to financial issues.  Curb your secret spending habits before you join their ranks.

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All information on this blog is for educational purposes only.  

Lynnette Khalfani-Cox, The Money Coach, is not a certified financial planner, registered investment adviser, or attorney.

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