When you get married, you and your partner become one unit.

You share a home, a life, and yes – your finances!

But Marriage and finances aren’t always easy to blend together.

In a 2017 survey by investing app Acorns, 68% of the 3,010 participants said they would rather reveal how much than weigh than share how much Money was in their savings account.

This survey highlights how difficult it is to talk with your spouse about money.

But, if you want to have a happy married life, you’ll learn to talk about your finances sooner rather than later.

Keep reading to find out how talking about your finances and learning to save small can bring big changes to your marriage.

1. Saving for A Better Family Life

Do you and your spouse want to start a family? If so, small savings can bring forth big results!

As of 2017, the cost of raising a child is roughly $233,610. This is not a tiny price tag.

By putting money aside each month into a savings account, in a year (or several years) you’ll have an excellent nest egg for starting a family together.

Small savings can also be beneficial for a child’s college fund. It is recommended that parents save at least a third of the amount needed to cover college tuition. Remember that when it comes to higher education and loans, saving is also going to be cheaper than borrowing.

2. Financial Backup Plan for Life’s Unexpected Twists

No matter how well you plan ahead, life always has a way of surprising you. This is where financial planning comes into play.

Sometimes referred to as an emergency or “sinking fund”, this savings plan is all about money you set aside for the unknowns in your future. For example, unexpected loss of job, chronic illness, surprise taxes you might owe, house or car repairs, or potential natural disasters.

Having money set aside for unforeseen occurrences will help you and your spouse have peace of mind should anything happen.

3. More Time for Vacations

When you make a habit of saving money each year, you’ll be rewarded with the freedom to take vacations without financial worry.

Studies show that couples who take the time to carve out quality time together, such as through a regular date night or vacation time together, are less likely to get divorced. Compiled research goes on to reveal that couples who have downtime together also experience higher levels of relationship satisfaction, communicate better, and have boosted sexual passion for one another. Now that’s a win/win/win!

4. Buying a House

Studies show that children are happier when their parents take care of their marriage, and part of taking care of the marriage involves taking care of your financial responsibilities. And the more you save, the more you’ll benefit!

For most couples, one of the biggest goals with marriage and finance is buying a house.

Your negotiating power skyrockets when you have a large down payment ready to go. You will also get better interest rates, will owe less and will require a smaller bank loan for your house. That is especially helpful for those who are still working on building up their credit and aren’t able to get a substantial loan.

5. Getting Out of Debt

Part of blending marriage and finances together means working together to pay off your debts. Having debt is a stressful business, and this stress can negatively affect your marital happiness and even your libido!

If you want to get out of debt, you need to put your paychecks together and start saving. Having financial independence, especially from your debts, is an invigorating feeling that contributes to a happy married life.

6. Better Communication Skills

Communication is the key to a happy married life. It is how partners resolve conflict and get to know one another on a deeper level.

Studies show that 75% of millennial couples report talking about money at least once a week. Not only will discussing small savings give you financial stability, but it will also contribute to your happy married life. If you and your partner are able to discuss debt, savings, and budgeting, it means you have excellent communication skills.

7. Looking Toward Retirement

Retirement is a huge goal for most couples. The more you save now, the more you’ll benefit in the future. It is recommended that individuals put away between 10-15% of their gross income in order to successfully save for retirement. You can also make your money work for you by putting it in a high-interest savings account.

Marriage and finance are two tricky subjects to master, but don’t shy away from talking about money with the one you love. By giving special attention to your finances and opening up the lines of communication with your spouse, you will be contributing to a happy married life.

About the Author:
Rachael is a relationship expert with years of experience in training and helping couples. Her mission is to provide inspiration, support and empowerment to everyone on their journey to a great marriage. She is a featured writer for Marriage.com that supports healthy happy marriages.

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