What's Your Financial Compatibility?

OK, so your star signs might be a cosmic match made in astrological heaven;

you might have a seriously saucy set up in the bedroom.;

but just because you're compatible in other areas doesn't mean you're going to be when it comes to money...and, if you're not? Well that could be one helluva deal breaker.

Imagine the scenario. You've got your eye on a gorgeous holiday in Barbados and you're busy scrimping and saving. You're determined to be on that beach in your designer bikini sipping a cool Pina Colada. 'Im indoors says he wants to go too, but while you're sat in watching DVD's and counting the pennies, he's out with the lads spending your housekeeping! How dare he, you might think? But unless you've sat down and had a proper discussion about money, your beliefs, hopes and expectations - then to be honest he's not really doing anything wrong. How can you be a rule breaker, when there's no rules to break?

Think of another scenario. His idea of a rewarding retirement is travelling around the world in premium luxury: hers is playing bingo with her friends. She wants her children to go to private school: he'd prefer for them to have a Season ticket to the football.

Don't get me wrong you don't need to be identical when it comes to money. That would be totally dull, and as Your Money or Your Life says:

"Frugal Fred can teach Spendthrift Susan the pleasures of accumulating wealth and gaining control over her impulses; but Susan can also teach Fred about the fun of (occasionally) tossing self-control to the wind and using money simply for the joy it can bring to oneself and others."

It seems the secret isn't being identikit financiers, but in understanding each others views on money.

So, with coffee and trusty Jaffa Cakes Love of my Life and I discussed:

- where we are financially
- where we'd like to be
- how much money we're spending on a monthly basis and on what
- how our family/upbringing affects the way we view money

From there we pulled together a budget and we're looking into getting a joint account to use for bill paying.

Luckily for us we're very much on the same page. But actually sitting down and discussing that is so much better than trying to second guess the other person. We're closer than we were before and in terms of saving I now feel as though I'm saving for our future, which makes it even more important and even more special!