Say I Love You With a Money Date

To nurture a lasting bond with your partner, meet regularly to talk about money.

- LAURA PETRECCA

REVIEWING your bank statements and retirement account balances might not sound romantic, but the purpose of a money date transcends these tasks. These regular meetups build trust and intimacy, says Bari Tessler, a financial therapist and author of The Art of Money. Money dates allow you and your partner to understand each other’s financial perspectives, worries and values and will help you tackle logistical matters, such as who is responsible for paying which bills. These dates are also ideal for planning short-term goals and discussing big-picture dreams.

Financial check-ins suit all committed couples, even those who have spent decades together. “No matter how long you have been together, you can go back to the beginning with a clean slate and start to have money dates,” says Tessler.