A few years ago I can remember watching a Pepsi commercial featuring Ray Charles, with the ad ending with the question, Do You Have The Right One, Baby? It was an annoying ad to say the least and another feeble attempt by the cola company to drum a song into your memory to get you to buy their product. However, the question can be applied in so many instances and I was reminded of this just last night.
This past summer I made a personal decision to proceed with a particular situation without consulting my spouse. That decision carried with it financial ramifications for not only me, but my spouse as well. And last night, my beloved life partner and spouse discovered for the first time just what those financial repercussions were.
I expected anger. I expected sulking. I expected blame and criticism unlike any I'd ever encountered before. What I received instead was compassion, patience, and a deep desire to understand the intentions behind my decision, while also expecting my full accountability in the matter.
I realized again, as I often have throughout our five years together, that I am indeed with the Right One.
One of the best ways to achieve financial stability, independence, and abundance is to partner with your right money mate. Nothing can ruin your financial life faster than making a commitment to another who does not share the same financial vision, who will not accept 100% responsibility for his/her financial successes and shortfalls, and who is unable to communicate his/her needs, financial or otherwise, in your relationship.
Managing money as an individual does not come naturally or easily. Merging money with a spouse or significant other, requires that much more vision, discipline, and communication. Have you ever tried telling your spouse it's not a good time for vacation, or you don't want to go to that expensive five-star restaurant, or the new car that looks so great and will impress your friends, co-workers, and family is going to put a not-so-pretty dent in your finances?
Not easy, is it?
You may not be perfect money matches when you first meet, or even after you've made the initial commitment to spend the rest of your lives together, but at some point it is absolutely essential that you begin the often difficult conversations about how you both spend, save, and value money in your lives. The sooner you start the conversation, the better.
Easy it is not, but it is certainly possible when you've chosen the Right One to share your life, and your money, with.
