Getting Married? Questions to Consider as A Couple
You’ve finally found that one special person that you want to spend the rest of your life with, and, naturally, marriage is the next step in the relationship. Though it may not seem like it, there are a lot of things that a couple has to think about before they officially tie the knot.
Here are some questions that you’ll have to consider as a couple looking to get married.
What are your life goals?
It’s such a simple question, but the answers can go in any direction. When you settle down with someone, you need to make sure you understand exactly what their goals are. Some common topics that pop up include:
● Do you want to buy a house?
● Where do you want to live?
● Do you want kids? If so, how many kids do you want?
● Do you want pets? How many pets do you want?
And even little things, such as how warm or cool your partner likes the house to be, can quickly turn into a mountain. Since you’re getting married, you’re going to want to lay all of that out on the table so that you’ll know what you’re signing up for once you exchange rings and sign the papers.
How much debt have you, as individuals, accumulated?
It’s best to lay out all of the finances before you actually decide to walk down the aisle. Sit down and talk about all the debt you have, whether that may be student loans, credit card debts, or any other financial obligations like child support or private loans. It’s better to discuss this beforehand so you won’t be surprised when you and your partner decide to make a big commitment like buying a house or car together.
What’s your credit score looking like?
Similar to debt, you should also be open when it comes to credit. After all, your credit score is what is going to allow you to make large purchases down the line. There are so many couples who get married without any knowledge of their partner’s credit score, which in turn impacts the marriage negatively. If poor credit is the case, discussing this ahead of time will allow you to plan how you’re going to make future purchases so that you’ll be able to help the lower score improve over time.
Should we invest in life insurance?
Life insurance is an investment that couples should seriously consider. Though it’s uncomfortable to talk about, life isn’t a guarantee and there is a possibility that one person could tragically die unexpectedly. Where does that leave the partner? If they have a home, will they be able to afford the mortgage? Some companies offer their employees life insurance, though the insurance is typically two to three times the amount of their salary and is only in effect for as long as that person is working for that company. In the grand scheme of things, it’s better to be prepared for the worst. It’s also worth noting that coverage is less expensive the younger and healthier you are.
[Interested in a quote? Let us help you.]
How should we consolidate our belongings?
Considering the fact that you’ll be living together as partners, that also means that you have twice as much stuff to call your own. Consolidation sounds incredibly intimidating; however, a few simple steps will have your organized in no time.
● Sort your belongings in the following categories: keep, sell, donate, storage, dispose.
● You shouldn’t be throwing anything away unless you can’t donate, sell, or recycle it.
● Also, if you haven’t used something for some time, then let it go.
● Find your duplicates and properly deal with them. You don’t need 2 can openers or 2 microwaves. It helps to make an inventory of these items.
● Utilize your storage effectively. While it helps to downsize, you don’t necessarily have to throw away half of your household. If there are items, such as holiday decorations, that you use, put them away in storage so they won’t take up space in your house.
● Compromise on what items to keep and what to get rid of.
If you find yourself getting rid of large furniture and appliances, it may be in your best interest to budget for a service to handle hauling and proper disposal.
What are our short and long term financial goals?
Do you want to buy a house? Are you trying to go on a week-long adventure in a new country at least once a year? Are you just trying to pad your savings account? Whatever your financial goals are, it’s important for both of you to sit and talk about it. You don’t necessarily have to have everything perfectly figured out, but it’s better to have a general idea as to what you’re looking for so that you’ll know how to budget your money and how you should allocate your funds between your joint and personal accounts.