Every family should have a financial plan. No matter how much income you and your spouse bring in, you still need to be careful with your spending and have a budget in place. Whether you want to pay off debt, save for a new house, or aim towards financial independence, taking the time to do family financial planning is very important.
Some people, particularly newlyweds, are shy or uncomfortable talking about their significant others’ finances. However, it’s one of the most vital subjects for couples who hope to stay together in peace. Everyone having a clear understanding of where the family stands financially will bring stability, as there won’t be any unexpected expenses.
The #1 most important thing about family finances is 100% honest at all times. Arguments over money are one of the leading causes of divorce. If you ever splurge on something or make a mistake with money, tell your spouse. Make sure he/she understands that it’s okay to be honest with you should he/she ever makes a mistake.
Another good idea is to develop mutual financial goals. Try to come up with a list of the most significant expenses that everyone can agree to spend. If there are any disagreements, try to come up with a compromise. It also helps with family financial planning if each member knows what they are responsible for and the amount of money needed for each expense.
Family Financial Planning By Goals
Think about short-term goals and long-term goals, and try to set a realistic deadline for all of them. Always try to set a bit of money aside for emergency savings. Many people put their emergency savings in an online bank with a high APY% these days. If you’re having trouble gathering up enough money to put into an emergency savings account, slash every single dollar you can. Cut out as many non-essential expenses as possible. It’s okay to splurge now and then, but try to make some sacrifices for the most part.
You and your loved ones don’t even have to do family financial planning alone. You don’t have to hire a financial advisor, consultant, accountant, etc.. Just join a personal and retirement financial planning platform. There are some financial advice and planning software solutions that are incredibly intuitive. They are also accurate enough to help any family calculate their highest sustainable living standard. Furthermore, they can help you maintain that standard for the rest of your life.
While there are many such programs and tools online to help you with family financial planning, many aren’t very advanced. They won’t help your financial situation at all. They might even be a waste of money. One that you really might want to consider is MaxiFi. It takes all of the guesswork out of literally everything and helps you make more informed decisions about your future.