1 Shared vs Individual Goals
Not all goals should be shared. Vacations, a house, or emergency fund are typically joint. Hobbies or gifts can be individual.
Define together which goals belong to both and which are personal. Both types are valid and necessary for a healthy financial relationship.
2 How to Define Effective Goals
Use the SMART method: Specific (not 'save more' but 'save 5,000 for vacation'), Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
Prioritize 2-3 goals at a time. Too many goals dilute focus and make progress harder.
3 Contribution Tracking
- Visibility of who contributes what percentage
- Motivation from seeing joint progress
- Shared accountability without conflict
- Flexibility when income changes
Couples who save with clear goals and visible tracking reach their objectives faster and with fewer conflicts.