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Ideally, you and your partner would share the same financial outlook, but this isn't always the case. Many couples successfully work through their financial differences, but it requires effort and understanding. To better comprehend your partner's viewpoint, try swapping money habits.
It's no secret that couples often argue about money. To reduce financial disputes, Olivia Mellan, a couples therapist and money coach, suggests to LearnVest that you "try on" your partner's financial personality. This approach helps you better understand the other person's viewpoint when disagreements arise over money.
To give this a try, it’s essential to understand how both of you view and manage money. Perhaps you're very thrifty, and your partner tends to overspend. Maybe your partner avoids thinking about finances entirely. If you're having money-related arguments, you're likely already aware of each other's money philosophy. If not, you can learn more about it here.
Afterward, LearnVest recommends:
Choose a day when you and your partner can "swap" your financial habits. For example, if you’re the saver and your partner tends to be the spender, buy something non-essential that you’d normally pass up—like a popular hardcover book or a new sweater for your loved one—as long as it fits within your budget. Meanwhile, your partner could focus on setting aside a set amount of money—maybe the same amount they would usually spend in a day—and deposit it into a savings or investment account.
After the exchange, take some time to reflect or talk about what it was like to step outside your financial comfort zones. Consider how this exercise might help you better understand and empathize with your partner’s spending habits. Ultimately, the goal is to enhance communication and encourage compromise. For more information, check out the full post.
Photo by Jenifer Corrêa.
