Couples and Cents

Sharon Epperson, author of “The Big Payoff: 8 Steps Couples Can Take To Make The Most Of Their Money — And Live Richly Ever After,” says that couples need to learn how to work together to handle their finances. She offers a few tips to help couples get on the same page.

1. Check your finances together at least once a month.
2. Run a credit report and know your credit score.
3. Make a financial plan and talk about it every few months.
4. Consider working with a financial advisor.

The underlying theme here is communication. But its also important to get on the same page financially and come up with some common goals. That may require some sacrifices from both parties, but diverging financial goals can cause problems. Work out a short term and a long term financial plan that you both can agree on.

Couples and money: How to work it out - Today Technology & Money - MSNBC.com