The One Date That All Couples Should Do on a Regular Basis
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Trying to get on the same page with your finances? Learn how money dates work to help you two work as a
One of the easiest ways you two can connect with your finances while having fun is having regular money dates.
What are Money Dates?
No, these dates aren't about pulling up a spreadsheet and running the numbers (though you'll review the finances).
These dates are about making sure your money is going towards what's important to the two of you.
They're check-ins that allow you two to take a bit of time to see what's working and what's not.
Making the Most of Your Money Dates
Money dates can be a fun, stress-free way to connect. Think of it as enjoying a good meal. Make it special (not expensive).
For some dates, we like to go out to mix things up. Other nights we'll stay in, open up a bottle of wine, and look over things.
The location isn't important, but the tone is crucial. We want to be relaxed and in a good mood before we chat.
Making Money Dates Work
We like to start things off with wins we've had. It can be personal, financial, or professional. It's an opportunity to cheer each other on.
We then go over the goals we picked out. We have some goals for the year (like a vacation) and some long-term plans (working to become financially independent).
Occasionally things come up and we adjust goals and deadlines. While it's not a cure-all, things are less stressful because we're talking about it with one another.
Once we have an idea of where we're going, we briefly go over the numbers.
Using a tool like Personal Capital, Tiller, or Mint makes things a breeze. You can quickly review all your accounts to make sure you're hitting your goals.
If it's good, just keep chugging. And if not? the two of you make a small adjustment. It's better to catch things earlier than wait a few months and completely miss your goals.
Afterward, we plan for the next month. Do you have a trip coming up? Any irregular bills like life insurance premiums due? Talking ahead allows us to tweak things as needed.
As you can see it's not complicated and the finances are just a part of the date.
And that's the point.
Finances are the tool, not the focus. We want to spend the majority of the date talking about our dreams and goals.
The key for us is getting on the same page with our goals and making sure the budget is working.
Resources for Money Talks
If you want to learn more about money dates, please catch my chat about them with Shannon on her podcast, Martinis and Your Money.
Want to get started on your own dates? Here are some helpful resources to get the ball rolling:
- Jumpstart Your Marriage and Your Money: In Jumpstart, I take you
step by step on how you two can get on the same page with money and how you can knock out your financial goal faster while having fun! - Looking to review your accounts
quickly and easily? Here are the Best Budget and Money Apps: Personal Capital, Tiller, Mint, and Zeta - Having the Money Talk with Your Spouse
This article was originally published in May 2016. It has been updated on July 2021.
