Financial goals make it possible for you and your partner to work toward achieving your dreams. Here are several action items to create – and achieve – financial goals as a couple:

• Start talking sooner rather than later. Finances can be hard to talk about. People sometimes feel guilty about debt or ashamed that they don’t make more money. More than that, many people consider money to be a private thing that shouldn’t be discussed with others.However, the first step to setting financial goals as a couple is to start talking. And the sooner you start talking with your partner, the better prepared you’ll be to make positive financial decisions. Saving for a big purchase, for example, takes time and planning. Having a discussion early on gives you more time to start saving.
• Agree on your goals. Once you’re talking about your finances, you’ll want to agree on your goals. Would you like to pay off your credit card debt? Save for a big family vacation? Have more of a financial safety net?After you’ve agreed on what you’d like to achieve, start talking about how you’ll work together to achieve it. The best financial plans require both partners to contribute to the financial goal – whether that means each agreeing to contribute monthly to a savings account or cutting back on personal spending.
• Keep the conversation going. Plans need maintenance to succeed. That means continuing to talk about them, and checking progress on a regular basis. It’s important for both partners to know all the numbers, even if one partner is the primary manager of the finances.Scheduling a regular financial conversation is one way to keep you and your partner on track to achieving your goals. This financial date night is a good way to ensure that things are proceeding as planned. It’s an opportunity to check in and adjust the numbers accordingly.

With open communication and commitment from both partners, you’ll be well on your way to reaching your financial goals.