American Consumer Credit Counseling offers seven financial topics all engaged couples should discuss before marriage
Boston, MA – August 22, 2018
Wedding planning and a potential honeymoon are often hot topics of discussion for newly engaged couples, but one key area that shouldn’t be overlooked is finances. As the wedding date approaches, couples’ finances are closer to being merged, so it is important to discuss each other’s priorities and goals. To help consumers, national nonprofit American Consumer Credit Counseling (ACCC) highlights seven financial topics engaged couples should discuss before walking down the aisle.
“Communication is key in any successful relationship and this is especially crucial when it comes to managing finances,” said Steve Trumble, President, and CEO of American Consumer Credit Counseling. “Many couples argue about money, so it is important to take the time to discuss key financial challenges, issues, and goals, preferably before walking down the aisle to eliminate surprises.”
According to a study by Ramsey Solutions, more new couples (86 percent) are bringing debt into marriage, compared to 43 percent of couples who have been married over 25 years. Lately more couples have racked up debt to pay for their weddings. Of those that have been married five years or less, 41 percent felt pressured to spend more than they can afford on their wedding. 54 percent say they covered wedding expenses with a credit card and 73 percent regret doing so.
ACCC discusses seven conversations engaged couples must have about their finances.
- The wedding – Weddings are fun and exciting, but also expensive. It is important for couples to discuss the size, venue, who will be paying for it, and if they have enough money to fulfill their wishes.
- Debt – It is best for couples to be upfront about any student loans or credit card debt they may be bringing into the marriage.
- Goals – Discuss each other’s financial goals and expectations for the future. Do you want to buy a house? Have kids?
- Responsibilities – There will be many payments, such as a mortgage or rent, utilities, and phone bills that will need to be accounted for. Discuss who will be responsible for each payment.
- Joint accounts – Decide if you want to open a joint account. Many couples open a joint account and keep their primaries separate.
- Spending habits – Discuss each other’s spending habits and decide if there are any problem areas that one or both of you need to work on.
- Credit score – A person’s credit score is a big deal, so it is important to be aware of each other’s scores before you go to make a major financial decision, such as buying a house.
ACCC is a 501(c)3 organization that provides free credit counseling, bankruptcy counseling, and housing counseling to consumers nationwide in need of financial literacy education and money management. For more information, contact ACCC:
- For credit counseling, and student loan counseling call 800-769-3571
- For bankruptcy counseling, call 866-826-6924
- For housing counseling, call 866-826-7180
- Or visit us online at ConsumerCredit.com
About American Consumer Credit Counseling
American Consumer Credit Counseling (ACCC) is a nonprofit credit counseling 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to empowering consumers to achieve financial management through credit counseling, debt management, bankruptcy counseling, housing counseling, student loan counseling and financial education concerning debt solutions. To help consumers reach their goal of debt relief, ACCC provides a range of free consumer personal finance resources on a variety of topics including budgeting, credit and debt management, student loan assistance, youth and money, homeownership, identity theft, senior living, and retirement. Consumers can use ACCC’s worksheets, videos, calculators, and blog articles to make the best possible decisions regarding their financial future. ACCC holds an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and is a member of the National Foundation for Credit Counseling® (NFCC®). For more information or to access free financial education resources, log on to ConsumerCredit.com or visit https://www.consumercredit.com/debt-resources-tools/
