Tip one: Set clear expectations. For example, in some marriages, use of the funds is at your discretion, but if you are going to purchase something that costs over $100, you need to consult with the other member of the couple. Sometimes expectations are set by setting up a budget, and discussing the need to stick to the proposed budget, even if that means not eating out as much, packing a lunch for work, not seeing every new movie that comes out, saving up for a new car, etc.

Tip two: Have a weekly money management meeting. This is a great thing to have because every week you have a chance to review your budget, and hold one another accountable for poor money management decisions. For example, if you weekly go over your budget and determine that you went way over in one area or another, you can once again determine together to get back on track and not be as foolish with your spending. It is a great motivational tactic as well, and helps keep one another in check as you have to be responsible for your spending habits, poor or positive.

Tip three: Keep a written accounting of your budget and your spending. This means track what you spend. It is easy for you to tell your spouse if they ask that you spend $5.50 on lunch at Arby's, $37 at the grocery store, $15 to take the kids to a movie, $11.50 on a birthday party gift, etc. However, writing it out means you don't miss anything, and it provides an easy to see accounting for your spouse to see. In addition, having a written budget that you see where you are in comparison to where you should be, is helpful.

Tip four: Teach each other good money management tips, read books, attend seminars, etc. If you and your spouse are both bad with money, both great with money, or something in between, it can't hurt to learn more. You are not born with an innate ability to manage money, so work as a couple to learn to manage money. It is often easy to turn the responsibility over to the better money manager in the relationship, but by doing this, you absolve the other of their poor spending and money management habits, and this often leads worse financial disaster, as they never know where you are financially, or what they can and can't spend.

Tip five: Allow each some of their "own" money. While it is wise as couples to share money, especially if you have a family, and you have one spouse home with kids, etc., having your own money to spend as you please is very healthy for positive money management, and can help you to avoid money management problems that lead to foreclosure on homes, repossession of cars, etc. Waste your "personal" money on eating out, movies, expensive gadgets, and protect your home, credit, etc. by allocating money to those areas that can't be touched.