My top tips for talking to your partner about money

I think the conversation most couples avoid is the one about money. But it also happens to be one of the most important.

Because we often leave it until crisis point, talking about money tends to happen when we’re angry or upset. That, however, is not going to be constructive!

Try to reserve judgement here, and make sure you actually listen to your partner. And don’t leave the chat until late at night when you’re already tired.

If you can, try to head off difficult chats and get in there early. Even before you start talking numbers, try to get a sense of how you both feel about money. What were finances like growing up? Have you had problems or worries in the past—or even now? Do you think of yourself as a spender or a saver?

These conversations will help you understand why you and your partner act in certain ways. Maybe not having much money as a kid makes you save more than you need to now, or perhaps you’re scared to ask for help and explanations, and so you just keep on spending.

From this base, move on to talk about your joint plans. Do you want kids at some point? Would you like to retire early? These goals will help shape your joint approach to money, and be the bedrock for future chats.

And you should do these regularly. Go though the joint bills, refer back to your goals, and discuss any changes you might like to make. This should help keep conversations about the money part of your relationship healthy.

Got a money question for our resident expert? Email it confidentially to onthemoney@readersdigest.co.uk

You will need

• A sweatshirt

• Thin felt sheets

• Matching thread

• Fusible webbing

• Pins

• Fabric scissors

• Sewing machine

• Iron or heat press

• Optional: satin stitch foot for your sewing machine

Mike Aspinall runs one of the UK’S most popular craft blogs, The Crafty Gentleman, where he shares free DIY tutorials