Love and Money

As we celebrate love this February, don’t be afraid to let money enter the conversation. Budgets and finances may not be the most romantic subject, but it’s essential for couples to talk about money and have a plan for reaching their financial goals.

This Love Day, Origin Bank offers a few ideas to get the dialogue going.

To merge or not to merge. Banking is usually the first financial decision couples face, and their choice is most often a single, joint account. Is that the best idea? Could it be better to keep separate accounts and create a third, combined account? Couples must choose an option based on their specific needs, and a single, joint account is not always the best option. Experts recommend couples keep an open mind and work out a system that allows each partner at least a degree of independence as they learn to spend money together.

Starting out in the red. Debt is perhaps the single biggest source of stress in a relationship. So what happens when one or both partners have a heavy debt load like credit cards or student loans? Who’s responsible for paying off which amount? The idea of taking each other for better or worse applies with money as well. Experts say it’s often best for couples to approach their combined debt as a joint responsibility, regardless of who brings how much. Paying it off requires cooperation, communication and compromise.

Pennies saved and earned. While it’s never too early for couples to start planning for the future, saving and investing can be a source of stress as well. Generally, men are willing to take on more risk than women, so the issue is often how to balance the opportunity for big gains versus playing it safe. Experts recommend viewing things through the appropriate timeline. You can afford high-risk investments, for example, with retirement savings because you have the advantage of time. But the money you’re saving for tomorrow or next year should be kept very low risk.

Things are great… until they’re not. There’s a reason we call them emergencies. Even if you’re financially comfortable ‒ stable income, living within your means, no concern over debt ‒ life has a way of suddenly making you uncomfortable. Car accidents, medical emergencies, unexpected repair bills and any number of other crises are inevitable. Worse, the magnitude of those problems often leads to the wrong kinds of financial decisions. Ideally, couples should have enough saved to cover at least six months of their standard of living. Experts say that simply having the money can lower couples’ stress, because there’s a way to cushion those nasty surprises. 


Your partner will always be one of the most important people in life. Origin Bank is here to help you and your family determine your financial goals and a way to get there. Contact the Origin team to learn more about the many ways we can lend a hand.