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Getting Married
Marriage merges two financial lives. A few honest conversations and a handful of paperwork updates now prevent years of friction later.
Your progress—
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Pre-Wedding
3–6 months before
Have the money conversation
Couples who discuss money before marriage report far less conflict — align on values, goals, and spending styles.
Share credit reports with each other
Each partner's credit affects joint borrowing. Pull free reports and review for errors together.
Discuss existing debt
Decide together how you'll tackle each other's balances.
Review life insurance needs
Marriage usually means someone now depends on your income.
Update beneficiaries
Check 401(k), IRA, and life insurance — these override your will.
Decide: joint, separate, or hybrid accounts
There's no single right answer; pick the structure that fits how you both operate.
Post-Wedding
1–3 months after
Set up your chosen account structure
Open joint accounts, transfer funds, and move autopays as you decided.
Create a combined budget
Input both incomes and all expenses to see your true monthly surplus.
Update tax withholding (W-4)
Married-filing-jointly changes your withholding math.
First-Year Planning
3–12 months after
Set shared 1/5/10-year goals
Written goals with dollar amounts get achieved more often.
Align on retirement contributions
Capture both employer matches first, then coordinate Roth vs traditional.
Schedule an annual money check-in
Block two hours each year to review spending, savings, insurance, and goals.
Did you knowCouples who discuss finances before marriage report meaningfully lower money-related conflict.
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