How Should a Couple Deal with Finances

9/1/2019

Date with a purpose, not just for fun. Every couple must have relationship goals.

What is the purpose of dating? Well, in the Bible, the only scriptural reason for being in a relationship with someone was to pursue a godly marriage with that person. People did not just date around for the fun of it. There is absolutely no biblical basis for being romantically involved with someone you cannot see yourself marrying. So dating without that pursuit is a no-no and contradictory to God's word. Think about it!

As a couple, it is not just advisable but required to do strategy, preparation, and goal-setting to get the results you both want.

The Bible says in Genesis 2:24, "That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh."

Marriage is strongly defined by God.

How can a Couple tackle financial goals together?

Money is an opportunity to reach unity in marriage. When couples work together, they can do anything.

Communicate (talk about money).
Develop a common vision.
Know your expenses.
Set a budget (dating, travel, etc.).
Employ a money-management strategy.
Create a plan.
Talk about your dreams.
Don't forget about your individual goals.
Pray and ask God for wisdom and guidance.

Establish your work first in the Garden
before you want to get married.

Things every Couple must do before getting married

Be at peace with your own family.
Make loving God the first priority in your life.
Establish clear career goals and the steps you will take to reach those goals.
When you fall in love, use your mind as well as your heart.
Seek guidance and affirmation from your family, friends, and spiritual leaders.
Commit to sexual purity until marriage.

6 Comments

Albert

6/20/2022 12:04:30 pm

Hello Sir! Do you think it's okay for us to put our wedding fund on the stock market right now? The stock market is still down today, and it looks like a good chance. We're planning to get married in 2025. Thank you very much for your answer!

Ralph link

6/20/2022 07:06:38 pm

It is not advisable and a good idea to put your wedding fund in the Stock Market, given that you are planning to get married in 2025. The thing about investing is that it is a long-term game. In general: You invest your money, say by putting it in the stock market, and then you leave it there for many years—decades—ignoring the rise and fall of the stock market (depends on your financial goal).

So what should you do with that wedding fund in the next year, or two? Keep it in a Certificate of Deposit/Term Deposit or an interest-earning savings account (I don’t say high-yield anymore because that is not a thing at this point).

The question is, what if the stock market is still down in the year 2025, you got it, right? No one knows, but I hope not.

8/2/2022 04:42:12 am

Thanks, I'm moving in with my partner. How do we divide up our finances?

8/2/2022 11:08:43 am

Hello KC!

Moving in and splitting expenses sounds like it would give a lot of peace of mind, but it can end up being quite the opposite.

Typically, you shouldn't share accounts if you're not legally tied to one another. And if one partner has much higher debt than the other, that's also a no-no. But when it comes to rent and household expenses?

Splitting everything equally certainly seems like the deal, but we all know how much more complicated relationships are. So don't hold yourself to standards based on what you think people should do. Come up with rules that you're both comfortable with.

Sheila Mae

1/8/2023 07:58:13 am

Hi, hingi lang po sana ako ng advice tungkol sa sitwasyon namin ng boyfriend ko. Ganito po kasi, hindi po kasi siya masyado maaalam tungkol sa financial literacy at ako lang po yung kahit papaano may alam sa aming dalawa. Kahit paano po ay nag-eexplore po talaga ako sa mga investments like stocks, bonds, real estate, bussiness, etc.

Ako po kasi ay date to marry na yung gusto ko (ito po yung mindset ko kahit 24 pa lang po ako at si bf ko naman po ay 26 na) at 20 years old pa lang po ako nung ma-open yung isip ko sa financial literacy at hindi din po ako galing sa mayaman na pamilya. Ito po ang problema ko sa kanya, bilang girlfriend niya po ay ilang beses ko na po siyang sinasabihan na kumuha ng life insurance kasi kaya naman niya at puro gastos din po kasi siya sa mga video games. Ilang beses ko na din po siyang sinasabihan na mag-simula na siyang mag-ipon at mag-invest lalo na ang emergency funds pero parang wala lang po sa kanya. Paano ko po kaya siya mapapa-start? Maraming salamat po!

1/8/2023 08:35:13 am

First of all, your boyfriend is so lucky to have you!

I'll be honest with you. It's hard to influence someone and change their minds on things they don't have any interest in.

Just to give you an example. All of us know that eating healthy, having a balanced diet, and exercising regularly are very important habits to maintain our health. Everyone knows that, but only a few practice such a lifestyle.

Remember this: "You cannot change your boyfriend, you cannot change your friends. You cannot change anyone. But you can change yourself. And when you do, you can inspire others to change. Surrender them to God. Pray for them."

We can only do so much for someone, like consistently reminding them to do the right thing, talking daily to them about saving money, budgeting, investing, giving them books, showing them financial literacy videos, and letting them listen to podcasts.

Be consistent and disciplined, never giving up on influencing him. Spend time with the person. By spending time together; you teach the other not only about financial literacy, but his worth of love; you can share wisdom, and you contaminate each other's frame of mind.

What if it still doesn't work? Well, if it eventually works then congrats to both of you, but if not that's also fine.

Questions: For how long can you keep on trying to influence him? Is your love for him eternal?

Reality: The hard reality is, when pain and suffering come into the picture, that's only the time a financially unprotected person will be forced to take action (there are instances where some individuals will still not do anything despite the problem).

It is only when the boat completely sinks will they realize that there has been a hole in the boat all along. That's the reality for most of us, not just in terms of finances but also in other aspects of our lives.

Bottom line: There are things we can change, that we have some power to control. Other things are absolutely beyond our control.