Do's and dont's for couples talking finances
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Money can be a very sensitive subject for a lot of couples.
It can make or break a relationship -- studies show money matters are one of the top three issues couples have and one of the leading causes for divorce.
Janice Phillips, Senior Vice President of Columbia Bank, says finances are really personal.
"People have a real emotional connection to their money. The most important thing to understand is that financial discussions need to be exactly about goals, they need to be about numbers. They need to not be about emotions. It sounds easier said than done, but if you can take emotion out of it, you'll have a far happier home life."
Phillips says couples need to sit down and set financial goals in their relationship early on and discuss them on a weekly basis. "You can decide one person is responsible for paying the bills, but if you do, you have to be very transparent because if you're not you open yourself up to 'financial infidelity', lying about money."