One of the biggest reasons you and someone else might fall out over money is if you’re not on the same page with your goals. Perhaps one of you likes to spend and the other is a saver. Or maybe you approach money problems differently. The most important thing is to talk. 

Share your goals

Sharing your goals and values about money with each other has been proven to increase financial satisfaction.

So, how can you understand your goals and attitude to money better? The best way is to talk to each other.

Below are some goals and attitudes about money that are worth discussing. Perhaps you or the other person isn’t confident about managing their money for example? Then it will help to know how to start a conversation.

What’s your attitude to money?

• Do you prefer to live for today? Do you know why this is?
• Are you confident managing money? And why?
• Do you think it’s important to keep track of income and expenditure? Why/why not?
• Do you like to shop around to make money go further or do you buy on impulse?
• Are you open to discussions about money?
• Do you feel it’s important to adjust non-essentials when life changes?
• Do you ask for help with your money?
• What are your attitudes to spending, saving and borrowing money?
• How did your family managed money when you were growing up?

What are your money goals?

• What are your long-term or short-term goals and aspirations?
• What is stopping you achieving them?
• Are there any immediate problems you really should get to grips with? For example, debt or fear of falling into debt, worries or anxieties about your job or health?
• Even if longer-term goals seem impossible to achieve, what are the first small steps you could take towards achieving them? For example, making a budget, looking at ways to cut back or save money, putting a bit extra into your pension.

To work out how much money you have coming in and what you’re spending it on, use our Budget Planner.

It might be worth saving some or all these questions for further discussions. They can give you some focus and help you move forward with your financial goals.

They are also a great way to work out similarities and differences between people. And where those similarities and differences work or cause problems.

Perhaps add some more questions that are important to you.