The Money Couple Minute - Spending "His" Money

Power and money have a long partnership. Typically, the person with the money has the power. And this can often be the case in relationships as well. The partner who works can resent the way his partner spends "his" money. The partner who's not working can feel like she doesn't get much say so in the way money is spent. Couple this natural tension with poor financial communication and you've got the makings of financial infidelity.

Get over the idea of "his" money or "her" money. In this economy, lots of couples are finding that their roles can change overnight. The breadwinner gets laid off and the at-home partner takes a job. Smart couples are those who recognize that there is no "yours" and "mine" in relationships, only "ours." Our Financial Relationship Index can help you identify how big an issue this has become for you.

Talk through your fears. Once you start seeing your financial resources as shared resources, you can have honest conversations about your financial expectations, fears, and dreams.

Set goals you can work toward together. Talk about what you want your lives to look like and how you can make it happen. Then check in on your progress with monthly "Money Huddles." Once you start working together, the tension and power struggles will come to an end.