How to marry your finances with your partner’s

When you make a lifelong commitment to another person, the way you agree to handle money can have a significant impact on your future together.

Lay the foundation now for a successful financial future by having frank discussions about budgeting, paying bills, handling debt and saving for the future. Here are some suggestions:

• Start by having the right conversations.
• Sharing finances? Know what to do first.
• Find out if a prenuptial agreement is right for you.

Make sure you know everything you should about each other’s finances, including assets, income, investments, money history, debts and business dealings. How closely you merge your financial lives is up to you, but to make a smooth financial relationship, you have to be as completely honest and open about your money as you are about everything else.