Hi everyone, Sierra here! (I know, where is Dennis? He let me take over this one because he loses his mind for a few months after tax season)

Dennis and I have had numerous talks about how much of a saver I am while my wonderful husband, Landon, is on the complete opposite end of the spectrum. It’s funny because Dennis and his wife, Robin, are pretty much the same as us in this regard (sometimes I think Landon and Dennis are two peas in a pod with how similar they are, which is definitely not a bad thing!)

We get asked a lot (especially by our parents) what we do to handle the different way we view finances. I’ll be honest…IT’S HARD! As much as we have in common, this is not one of them. If it were up to me, every bit of spare money would be put into the savings account, and he would take that as an opportunity to buy a new video game. So, we have to work together to make sure there is balance, and these are a few ways we do:

**Have A Game Plan**

I like having a plan for everything possible, and Landon usually goes along with those plans. That’s how we operate. We allocate a certain amount to savings each month that is automatically taken from our checking account and transferred to our savings account (you know Dennis preaches the importance of this!). We also decide if we want to add anything further to our savings. We have to talk about finances together (everything about what comes in to what goes out). If you’re in the same situation, communication is more important than anything!

**Have a Budget/Be Aware of Monthly Bills**

Landon and I have a list and a shared Google calendar that lists all of our bills and when they are due. Both of our phones buzz with a reminder every time a bill is due, and we have most of them set up on auto-draft (pro tip: sometimes phone companies or other services will knock off a few bucks off of your bill every month if you sign up for auto-draft every month). We know we have to budget for those items and we also take into account groceries, household items (we have kitties to support here!), and we also try to account for any miscellaneous things that might pop up throughout the month (like if school requires me to get another book or if we need new work clothes). It’s important to us to have an idea of how much money we have left over every month, especially if we are allocating some as “fun money”. Priorities come first (that means any debt you have too)!

**Set Aside Some Fun Money for Your Spender**

Allowances. No, I’m not saying you should treat your spouse like a child, but coming to an understanding is important. It’s like a diet. If you totally take limit yourself, you’re going to miss that chocolate cake and find yourself standing in front of the fridge at midnight stuffing your face. You have to set aside a little money for fun things. They don’t have to be extravagant, and you don’t have to blow hundreds of dollars to have a good time either. Our idea of fun is a trip to the comic book store sometimes (I know, Nerd Alert!). So, we set aside a certain amount of money each month for our hobbies, activities we do together, etc. This is much easier for Landon than it is for me. I get the urge to just send that money to our savings account. This is where the balance comes in. He knows I need to do things for myself sometimes, and I know when he needs to reign things in sometimes.

**Don’t be Afraid to Take More of the Lead**

Over the almost six years we have been together, Landon has realized that sometimes it’s better if I take over our finances a little more than him (you can tell I married him for his intelligence). He knows he isn’t always the most responsible for money, so any major transfers or bill money allocation is on me…and that works for us! Currently, only I have access to our savings account and our credit cards, and Landon is totally on board with that. Compulsive spending is a trait he and most of his family share, so he understands that we have to have “protections” in place. I know what you’re thinking, “Shouldn’t he have enough self-control to not go overboard?” One day, I know we’ll get there, but right now we have agreed that this works for us. It doesn’t mean I don’t trust him, this is just a work in progress. Sometimes when you combine finances with a spender, you have to do what’s going to make the relationship successful and able to flourish.

Note that these tips work for us, but the best way to figure out how to reach a good financial place with your spouse is to TALK ABOUT IT! Don’t learn that the hard way, and don’t let money problems dominate your relationship.

Alright, I know you miss the boss man and his silly self, so I’m signing off!

Sierra