Tips For Talking About Money With Your Spouse

Talking about money with a spouse can be hard under normal circumstances. It’s even harder when one spouse is far from home. The following are some tips that can make financial discussions with your spouse easier and more productive—and help prevent the pitfalls that can land military families in financial difficulties.

Plan ahead and make a list. You want to make every moment of your conversations count. Planning ahead helps you get a lot accomplished in a short time, keeps you on track, and shortens financial discussions so you can spend more time on other things. Practice the call. If you’re worried about your financial discussion, consider sharing your list of discussion points with a member of the clergy. Ask for advice on how to be most helpful and for ideas on keeping the discussion focused and positive. Give your spouse a heads up. It’s not a good idea to spring financial discussions on your spouse. Tell her or him ahead of time that you want to discuss a financial matter. Your spouse may need time to locate financial documents before you talk. Keep your emotions in check. Things are stressful enough for both of you, so try to keep emotions out of your financial discussions. Ask your spouse about the family’s financial situation. Then listen. Stay engaged in the financial life of your family. Suggest ways your spouse can get financial help. There are financial readiness resources available through your Family Services or Support Centers. Discuss ways to cut costs. Listen to ideas your spouse has for cutting costs and then add your own. Recap at the end of the call. Go over what you and your spouse are going to do after your conversation and express your encouragement.