Be Proactive

Most fights start when some reacts rather than acts. If you are reactive about your money problems, you've got a long battle ahead of you. Instead of reaction, take a proactive approach. One of the first things you and your spouse can do to prevent money problems form arising is sitting down together and coming up with a budget that both of you will agree to. Stick to it together. Don't run up expenses that aren't in the budget. Discuss where money should go. Unforeseen expenses will probably come up, so discuss with your spouse at what limit purchases should be talked about. Good communication is the key to this approach. Be proactive and prevent problems before they occur by having a plan.

Try to be Complimentary

Spending styles differ from person to person. Some may be penny-pinchers, while others are bargain shoppers, and still others spend and then think. Find the strengths in your spouse's money spending habits and use them to the advantage of your relationship. If one of you keeps the big financial picture well-centered in their mind, make sure they are the one in charge of the budget. If someone is really good at being thrifty, put them in charge of shopping. If one of you is good at pinching pennies, put them in charge of finding ways to save on what you already do. Find each other's financial strengths and use them to the best advantage rather than only look at each other's spending style weaknesses. Use your spending styles to compliment each other. Hardly anyone has the perfect take on finances that saves money, but keeps everybody happy. If you blend the strengths of your styles, you'll be a much better money-manager as a couple than you will be alone.

No Secrets

It is important to tell your spouse when you've spent money. A lot of young couples come together in marriage only to discover that their partner is up to their eyeballs in debt. This can start a lot of fights. The same thing can happen after you've been married for a while. If you are making a purchase, call home and tell your spouse what it is and how much before you actually allow it to go through. You should never hide the price of an item from your spouse. Doing that is bound to start an argument. It is also important not to keep secrets about what you want to do with your money eventually. Dreaming together is important to a strong relationship. If you don't have financial goals together, of course your thoughts on what to do with your money once you have it will differ and can cause an argument.

Relationship Before Self

Just because one partner brings home the bacon doesn't mean they are more important than the other partner. Implying you are the more important one in the relationship is only asking for trouble. No one is worth more in the relationship just because they bring home more money. Put yourself aside for a while are realize that you wouldn't be able to bring as much home as you do if you didn't have a partner to support you. Put your relationship before yourself and make sure when it comes to how money is spent, you are on equal footing.