Setting shared financial goals
Aligning financial goals is a critical step towards a harmonious relationship and effective money management. A goal setting exercise will ensure you move in the same direction and it also fosters a sense of partnership. It is important you only do this when you are ready to share, but here are a few pointers to get you started:
1. Open communication about finances: Establish open and honest communication about your current financial situations. This includes discussing income, debts, savings, investments, and financial habits. It’s important to approach these conversations without judgment, understanding everyone has different financial backgrounds and experiences.
2. Identify common goals: Once you have a clear understanding of this you can identify and define your shared goals. Start off with short-term goals like saving for a vacation, purchasing a new car, covering upcoming major expenses or saving for medical treatments. Move on to medium-term goals like saving for a home or starting a business together. Then you can move on to longer-term goals around retirement, perhaps you are saving for a family and want to establish a fund for potential IVF, adoption or surrogacy costs. There may be some give and take with goals when you want to align them, it can be helpful to have a professional coach you through this process to ensure all voices are equally heard. This is a service that a money coach or financial adviser could provide. Be mindful that some people struggle to imagine their future, perhaps living as each day comes. Take time to understand this rather than forcing on your ideas and ensure there is a safe space for you both to share.
3. Create a financial plan: With both of your shared goals identified, the next step is creating a basic financial plan to achieve them. This plan should include savings strategies, understanding what investment vehicles to use, all the while fitting in with your risk tolerance. Most couples will find that their appetite for risk may differ from their partner’s which is why financial planning should still be tailored to each person as a unique individual. Regularly review your financial plan to ensure it aligns with your goals as life changes. Adjust your plan to account for any changes in income, lifestyle, or objectives. This is often the hard part, people don’t get round to it and if you are hit with a crisis it can be quite costly to your finances because you didn’t keep on top of things on a regular basis.
4. Leverage financial advising: If you want a much more detailed plan you can contact a financial adviser. If you are not sure if Unividual is the right business for you, a good place to start is finding an adviser local to you on government backed MoneyHelper. It is really important you check out a company’s reviews on Google or comparison websites like VouchedFor. For many couples, consulting with a financial adviser who understands and respects their unique needs can be incredibly beneficial so they can tailor advice to your specific situation so ensure the firm has experience of working with clients just like you.
5. Plan for contingencies: Part of effective financial planning is anticipating and preparing for the unexpected. This includes setting up an emergency fund, ensuring adequate insurance coverage, and having open discussions about financial management in the event of one partner’s illness or death. These preparations help secure your financial future and provide peace of mind – we cover more of this in the rest of this guide.
6. Celebrate milestones: As you reach your financial goals, big or small, take time to celebrate these achievements together. Recognising these milestones can provide motivation and reinforce the benefits of your financial partnership.
By setting shared financial goals, couples can create a strong financial foundation that supports their life plans together.