The one exception, as it relates to money spent in your marriage where you BOTH don’t need to be aligned –
Where you don’t have to consult your spouse on money, and your spouse doesn’t have to consult you –
It’s when it happens within the confines of FUN MONEY.
Sounds fun, right?
Even the name of it gives it away.
Now, the question is:
Do you know what that is?
It’s money you get to spend HOWEVER you want, and your spouse gets to do the same.
NO questions, no judgment, no asking.
But there are conditions to be put in place so that it works WELL, every time.
If you don’t know how to set it up right so that it’s not to the detriment of your relationship but is beneficial ALL the way – Keep reading.
Here are the three rules of thumb:
You both decide this together.
If you haven’t looked at your spending and/or your budget lately – I’d recommend you do.
This isn’t something you would decide to do intuitively.
Money is about numbers and the math needs to be math-ing.
Coming up with a number when you’re simply pulling the number out of thin air hasn’t served anyone yet.
I want for you to make an informed decision.
What is the number going to be that feels totally doable with all your other expenses?
Where you’ll be able to really enjoy it fully?
There is no one right amount.
It might be $100, or $500 or $2000.
It all depends on where you are financially, what other financial goals you are currently working on etc.
You decide on one number that applies to both of you.
There is no such thing as –
“I make more so I get more fun money to play with.
This should be enough for you.”
Whatever the number is monthly (or yearly and then divide by 12) that you can ‘blow’ so to speak from your budget, you divide that number by two to make two equal parts.
Remember again – all y’all’s money – is YOURS TOGETHER, once it has been deposited into the account.
So two equal parts make perfect sense.
Simple.
Easy.
Predictable.
And then you go on your merry way, going out with friends, stopping by the French bakery to get an overpriced (oh-but-ever-so-fresh-and-delicious) croissant twice a week, saving up for that new tent, or putting money in a pile to go on that trip across the world that your spouse isn’t interested in going on that’s been on your bucket list for a decade now.
You can do whatever.
And no arguing, no questions, no judgment.
Once the money gets distributed – and you can agree on how and when that happens exactly – you’re free to rock ‘n roll.
Now, this number that you come up with this year –
It isn’t to be the same from day 1 until eternity.
Revisit this conversation.
Re-evaluate.
Up it when you feel like your situation can allow.
And, be prepared to lower it if you decide you have other priorities to tend to financially speaking.
As a family – as a couple – Come back to this and check in with each other about such things (meaning, money related things) at least 1x/year.
Things change.
Life changes.
Kids have other needs.
You all have new preferences.
That way you’ll be able to adjust what needs adjusting.
After that, carry on, and be merry.
And be married.
More importantly, prevent the money conversation (the one you refused to have) from breaking up your marriage.
Here’s the trick:
Once you agree on this – You just go ahead and execute.
Have fun with your fun money.
And circle back around it when something seems off or is no longer working.
PS: Is this something you’re already doing in your marriage?
Fantastic – Keep doing it.
Are you breaking any of these rules by chance?
Bring the topic back to the table, own it, readjust where you need to – and then – HAVE FUN.
For more articles that talk about MONEY & MARRIAGE, not just as they relate to fun money the right way, CLICK one of the links below:
Why Avoiding the Topic of $$$ Does NOT Serve You In Marriage
What Your Marriage Is Costing You ALREADY
WARNING! This Will Happen In Your Marriage As It Relates to Money When You Two Work with ME
CLIENT TESTIMONIALS – Money Advice – GOLD
