1 The Financial Change When Getting Married
Suddenly, financial decisions affect two people. Expenses that were just yours now impact the household. It's an adjustment that requires communication.
Many couples avoid talking about money in the first months to not 'ruin the honeymoon'. Mistake: it's the best time to establish good habits.
2 Joint, Separate, or Hybrid Account
Joint account: everything together, maximum transparency. Separate accounts: total independence, requires more coordination. Hybrid system: joint account for shared expenses, personal accounts for individual spending.
There's no right answer. What matters is that both are comfortable with the chosen system and review it if it stops working.
3 First Year Checklist
- Define account system (joint/separate/hybrid)
- Create monthly budget together
- Establish emergency fund (3-6 months of expenses)
- Review and update insurance beneficiaries
The first financial year together establishes patterns for the rest of the marriage. Invest time now to avoid problems later.