Money: When hearts flutter, best not forget your bread and butter

So, love has blossomed and you think you’ve found the perfect partner – but are you financially compatible?

Understanding each other on money issues can go a long way to making or breaking a relationship.

“Whether you’re married, living together or just getting to know one another, it’s crucial both parties understand each other’s finances and know how they view money management,” says Emma-Lou Montgomery, associate director at Fidelity International.

Here, Emma-Lou shares eight tips for making sure your finances flourish in your relationship…

Get the balance right

In a balanced relationship, having one keen saver and one more comfortable spending (within reason) can be beneficial – if it’s clear who’s responsible for what financially in the relationship. The saver can encourage a healthy attitude towards financial saving goals – be it a first home, an adventure holiday, or just cash for a rainy day. On the other hand, the spender may take on monthly living costs and cover expenses.

Talk, talk, talk

All too often, couples leave one of the parties completely in the dark over bigger commitments, like savings or retirement plans, leading to misunderstandings and tension.

The money and your financial security belong to both of you, so make sure you both have at least a basic understanding of the state of your finances. It may feel daunting at first, but talking openly about your finances is so important.

Take the skeletons out the closet

Many people hide debts from their partner – often out of embarrassment. But honesty really is the best policy. If you’ve come to the point when securing a joint loan or mortgage makes sense, it’s crucial any unpaid debt or blips on credit scores come to light.

Deal with earning envy

Pretending you earn more than you do when you first meet might seem like a good idea, but eventually the shortfall will become apparent. Communication here is key. Some couples have separate bank accounts, others keep a joint account for household expenses, while some agree to split bills equally.

Be honest, always

It may be that you have children from a previous relationship who need your financial support, or a hobby that requires a substantial financial outlay. If you aren’t open about the costs with your partner, these “outside” expenses can become a source of conflict. Be up-front and honest, so you both can ensure you’re able to factor them in to your shared budgeting.

Think about the future

If you both want to travel the world later in life, factor that into your finances now to make sure that when you do travel, you can travel in style.

Take control

While it’s good to plan together, make sure you also take responsibility for your own finances – whether it’s by opening a new savings account or contributing more into a pension.

Protect each other

Many couples now choose to live together for longer before getting married, which can create financial issues. Consider setting up an agreement to ensure assets are divided as you would wish.