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Newlywed Finances: A Checklist North Carolina

Before getting married, or soon after, discuss marriage finances and make a budget.

Local Companies

RSM McGladrey, Inc.
(704) 367-6251
4725 Piedmont Row Drive
Charlotte, NC

Accounting Principals
(704) 552-5454
6000 Fairview Road
Charlotte, NC

L. Frazier Accounting
(704) 553-9996
1510 Burnley Road
Charlotte, NC

Padgett Business Services
(704) 248-6283
6000 Fairview Rd
Charlotte, NC

Paragon Commercial Bank - Charlotte Office
(704) 644-4001
4725 Piedmont Row Drive
Charlotte, NC

SouthPark Jewelers
(704) 554-6010
5950 Fairview Road Suite 12
Charlotte, NC

Wagner Noble & Co.
(704) 552-0553
5970 Fairview Road Suite 402
Charlotte, NC

Mauney-Pitt Financial Management
(704) 481-0101
310-2 E. Graham St.
Shelby, NC

American General Auto Finance
(704) 846-0134
1811 Sardis Rd N
Charlotte, NC

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In just about any long-term relationship, finances will come into play, and in a marriage, it's essential to manage finances well together. Whether you're about to get married or have already tied the knot, it's a good idea to sit down with your partner and discuss money.

Financial Talking Points

When you sit down to talk with your fiancé or spouse, begin by sharing the current state of your finances. It's important to be frank and nonjudgmental. Fudging the numbers or concealing certain items from your partner could result in serious problems later. What's important is making sure your plan for going forward is one to which you are both committed. Here are some basics to go over:

what's important to each of you when it comes to finances
how you will manage your assets (what to combine, what to keep separate)
will you use the same bank account? credit cards?
how you will deal with differences in income
how you will manage the payment of expenses, and
what to do if your fiancé or spouse has incurred a lot of debt.

Planning for the Future

In your discussion of finances, it's worth discussing future costs, even if you can't know exactly what these will be. Do you plan on buying a house together? Having children? Taking a trip around the world? Moving? All of these things require significant financial investment. Be sure to discuss the following:

financial goals you are working toward
new furniture or other items you will purchase and own together
how to save up to buy a house
how to plan for having children
how to fund retirement plans, and
any other plans do you want to put in place for the future.

Making a Budget

Sit down with your partner and make a budget.

Income

Salary or wages
Bsiness income
Property income
Investment income

Assets

Bank accounts (with balances)
Investments (stocks, bonds, retirement accounts)
Property

Debts

School loans
Mortgages
Home equity loans
Business loans
Credit card debts
Loans from parents or family

Expenses

Rent/mortgage
Utilities
Food
Clothing
Car/transportation
Support for children from a previous marriage
Insurance
Entertainment
Travel
Education
Loan and credit card payments
Taxes
Retirement contributions
Other purchases (household goods, toys, electronics, and so on)

Making Your Financial Relationship Work

Once you've made these lists, consider the following:

Do you and your partner have enough income to meet your expenses?
Which assets will you keep separate, and which will you share?
Which expenses will you keep separate, and which will you share?
What should you do if one partner isn't meeting his or her expenses?

Whatever your financial situation, it's always better to be open and honest than to be unpleasantly surprised in a moment of stress or crisis.

Featured Local Company

RSM McGladrey, Inc.

(704) 367-6251
4725 Piedmont Row Drive
Charlotte, NC

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