Did you know that conflicts over money is one of the leading causes for marital dissatisfaction and divorce?

This is especially true for the first three years of marriage. So how can you set the foundation for a healthy relationship and marriage? You can start with setting a healthy foundation for how you deal with money—together and apart. Even shared understanding about what you want money to do or mean in your relationships will help you move in the right direction. And talking about money consistently, not only when things are not going well, will help increase intimacy and marital satisfaction. Anytime one of you has a new job offer, job loss, or a major purchase to make—like a car—would be a great time to talk about money together.

But what happens when conflicts about money arise? These conflicts can provide opportunities to improve your personal relationship with money and perhaps modify your own money beliefs. It’s important to understand that conflicts are normal. It’s how you deal with them that will either weaken or strengthen your romantic relationship with your partner. Understanding your own and your partner’s money history will help you gain perspective and decrease tension as well. Compromising and creating plans together to work toward your dreams together rekindles intimacy and strengthens relationships. This is #YourBrainOnMoney.