Dear Dave,
My fiancé and I are getting married this year. The thing that worries me is that we have drastically different views on handling money. I’m a saver, and he’s a spender. I also make significantly more money than he does. He’s been trying to get his production company in Tampa off the ground for about 10 years, making $50,000 a year. I’m an accountant, and I make $300,000 a year. Considering the uniqueness of the situation, would it be easier for us to keep separate financial lives? I’ve got a feeling it’s going to be hard talking him into being more responsible with money at his age.
— Lisa
Dear Lisa,
Either you folks are going to do the hard work of getting on the same page together, or you’re going to essentially work against each other and underperform. In your lives and your finances.
All the data we’ve collected shows that the couples who win with money are the couples who work together. Nearly 80% of the 10,000+ millionaires we interviewed in “The National Study of Millionaires” were married. On top of that, 80% of them said they were able to build that kind of wealth because they were working together financially with their spouse, instead of despite their spouse.
As far as your fiancé and his business are concerned, it doesn’t take 10 years to get a business off the ground. He doesn’t really have a small business. He has a hobby. I admire the dude’s commitment and ambitious spirit. It may just be a case of him being good at what he does but not being good at running a business.
Looking at you two on the surface, you’ve got a chance to build a beautiful life together. That’s not going to happen, though, if one or both of you are in denial about a job or your finances. The awkwardness of you making literally six times what he makes — and his business situation — needs to be discussed with a good pre-marital counselor before you two walk down the aisle.
God bless you two, Lisa!
— Dave
Dave Ramsey is a nine-time national bestselling author, personal finance expert and host of “The Ramsey Show.” Since 1992, Dave has helped people take control of their money, build wealth and enhance their lives. He also serves as CEO for Ramsey Solutions.
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