Not all of these questions should be asked on the first date… actually probably none of them should be. But as you and your significant other grow closer together, money is not a topic you want to avoid for too long. Having a themed money date or planned time to review these can be a great way to set the mood for some tough questions.
I’ve filtered out most of the awkward and corny questions to come up with my top questions to ask your partner:
CHILDHOOD
- Did you know how much your parents earned when you were a child?
- Did your family have a budget? How did you feel about it?
- What money habits did your parents practice? How did you feel about those habits?
- Did you get an allowance as a child? What did you do with it?
- Did your parents fight about money?
PRIORITIES
- If you won $1 million today, what would you do with the money?
- What are you working towards? What dreams do you have (1 year, 5 years, 10 years, 20 years)?
- Do you prefer generic or name brand goods?
- How do you like to spend your “fun money”?
- Would you seek financial counseling if we decide we need it?
- Do you think our next car will be new or used?
- What would it take for you to feel happy about money?
- What scares you about money?
- What is the max I can spend before I have to consult the other person?
DEBT/SAVINGS
- What are you comfortable telling me about your money?
- Any debts that are important to know? How much debt do you have? Student loans, car note, etc…
- Do you currently owe money to any friends?
- Do you have any money currently saved?
- Have you ever declared bankruptcy?
PLANNING
- What do you want to leave behind (for kids or others)? What would you want to happen to your money if you died?
- How much do you think vacations should cost?
- Do your parents pay for any of your current bills? (will they continue?)
- Would you accept money from parents as help after we get married?
- Do you save money at the beginning or the end of the month?
- How much do you want to save for an emergency?
FAMILY PLANNING
- How much will we spend to get fertility treatments or adopt if we have trouble conceiving?
- Do you expect to support your parents or other loved ones in the future? How much are we willing to spend on our parents if they get sick?
- How many kids do you want to have?
- Do you plan on paying for our children’s college education?
- Do you want our kids to go to public or private school?
INVESTING
- Who will be in charge of investing in our future? How will we choose investments?
- Do you participate in your company’s 401k match?
Have a question that you would like to add? Comment below!
Questions compile from the following resources:
https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2018/07/202646/money-questions-to-ask-your-romantic-partner#slide-1
https://www.lifehack.org/articles/featured/30-money-questions-ask-your-fiance-before-marriage.html
https://www.youneedabudget.com/84-questions-to-ask-your-partner-about-money/
