Financial CompatibilityYou love your significant other — but are you a good fit for each other financially?

Money is one of the leading causes of marital conflict. Nearly four-in-ten married adults say they often or sometimes disagree with their spouse over money, according to the Pew Research Center. Despite the important role money plays in a marriage, many couples are reluctant to discuss finances before marriage. But a little financial candor before marriage can help prevent future wars of the wallet.

Being financially compatible doesn’t necessarily mean you and your partner have to have identical financial tendencies. After all, if both you and your partner are hyper-zealous savers, you may never allow yourself the little indulgences that make life enjoyable. And if you are both aggressive spenders, you could wind up in the poorhouse.

People with different financial outlooks and orientations can make a relationship work. The trick is to understand each of your financial proclivities — and make good financial decisions that balance these traits.

Our attitudes toward money are influenced by our temperament, our upbringing, and even our gender. Some of us are naturally conservative with money; others are quite comfortable making financial gambles. Many of us grew up in households that lived paycheck-to-paycheck; others grew up with well-padded investment portfolios. Across gender lines, men are typically more inclined to take financial risks; women may be more likely to save money.

The quiz below will help you better understand how both you and your significant other view and handle money. Print two copies — one for you and one for your partner — and then discuss your answers, particularly when they differ. Remember there are not so much “right” or “wrong” answers here as there are true answers. Work together to constructively address any financial concerns that may arise.


Financial Compatibility Quiz:

1. When I have extra money, I like to:

(A) Spend it

(B) Save it

(C) Invest it

(D) Extra money—what’s that?

2. My approach toward investing is:

(A) No risk, no reward

(B) Better safe than sorry

(C) I don’t invest because I don’t have enough money right now

(D) I don’t invest because investing overwhelms or confuses me

3. When it comes to savings, I:

(A) Regularly set aside money for savings

(B) Set aside a little money if/when I can

(C) Don’t have a savings account

4. If/when I marry, I would prefer to:

(A) Share finances with my spouse—have joint checking/savings accounts, investments, etc.

(B) Have separate finances—each person is responsible for his/her own accounts, bills, investments, etc.

(C) Share some—but not all—finances with my spouse

5. I think buying expensive presents for your significant other is:

(A) A symbolic gesture of how much you care for that person

(B) Generally irresponsible and unnecessary

6. In the context of marriage, when making non-essential purchases of items over $200, I think:

(A) Both parties should be consulted

(B) We should each be able to spend our money however we like

7. When it comes to debt, I:

(A) Am uncomfortable with any kind of debt (except maybe a mortgage, a car payment or a student loan)

(B) Think some credit card or consumer debt is pretty normal—it’s not a huge deal

(C) Am not really comfortable with credit card or consumer debt, but have it anyway

8. When it comes to dividing financial responsibilities, I:

(A) Would prefer to be the person responsible for managing our finances (balancing the checkbook, paying the bills, tracking investments, etc.)

(B) Would prefer my partner manage most of our finances

(C) Think money-related chores should be done together, as a couple

9. Regarding my current standard of living:

(A) More money would be nice, but I’m more or less satisfied

(B) I’m making ends meet, but I’m not satisfied with my current situation

(C) I’m struggling to make ends meet right now

10. Regarding budgeting:

(A) I have a firm monthly budget

(B) I’ve set a budget before, but have a hard time sticking with it

(C) No one ever sticks with a budget anyway, so why bother?

11. My favorite financial indulgence is:

(A) Eating out

(B) Clothing, shoes or accessories

(C) Technology or gadgets

(D) Travel

12. What percentage of your income do you give away to charities or religious institutions?

(A) None

(B) 1 to 5%

(C) 5 to 10%

(D) More than 10%

13. What does being “rich” mean to you?

(A) Having a big house, a nice car, high-end clothing, etc.

(B) Having a strong financial portfolio

14. What part of being “poor” would bother you the most?

(A) Not being able to stay on top of bills and responsibilities

(B) Feeling deprived of things I really want or need

(C) Being perceived as inadequate or inferior to others

15. Regarding how much money my partner earns and owes:

(A) I have a pretty good idea

(B) I’m not sure I really know

(C) We don’t discuss our finances with each other


Making wise decisions — financial and otherwise — can definitely reduce stress in your relationship. The couples who are most likely to fight over money are generally younger, less educated, and with less income. While avoiding such situations can reduce conflict in your relationship, being able to communicate about these issues — and negotiate mutually-satisfying solutions — is critical.