12 Smart Ways To Encourage Your Spouse To Save - Moneynuggets.co.uk (2024)

Getting your partner to save can be a struggle, here are some creative ways to encourage your spouse to save.

Is money a sore spot in your relationship? You’re not alone. The average couple has 39 fights about money every year, according to the Money Advice Service.

So, what can you do about it? If you can get your partner to start saving rather than spending, you’ll start seeing progress.

Unfortunately, that can be easier said than done! Sending him a link to a finance blog or giving him an investment guide for Christmas probably won’t work. Anyway, who wants to be seen as a nag? You need a few better ways to encourage your spouse to save!

The most important thing you need to do is to boost his motivation. Here are 12 ways you can do just that.

12 Ways To Encourage Your Spouse To Save

1. Get Clear On Your Joint Goals­

Sit down and have a proper talk about why you need to save. Whether it is for something fun or something sensible, setting financial goals can keep your partner motivated.

2. Keep Track of Your Progress

Find an app or draw your own chart to track your savings. Your partner is more likely to stay on track if he can see how far he’s already come.

3. Reward Yourselves

Long-term goals, like saving for a deposit on a house, can feel like climbing a very steep mountain. Encourage him (and yourself) with a few small rewards along the way. They don’t have to be expensive – a day trip to a cheap attraction is enough.

4. Use A Forfeit System

Make saving into a game. Forfeits are a great way to make it fun. For example, you and your partner might decide that anyone who doesn’t meet their savings target for the month will be in charge of the washing-up for a week.

5. Appeal to His Competitive Streak

One of the best ways to encourage your spouse to save money is by appealing to his competitive streak.

Challenge each other to see who can give up a costly habit for longest, who can find the best deal, or who can spend the least money in any given week. A little competition can make many men keener to find out how to save money.

6. Save Your Pennies

Putting spare change into a jar or piggy bank works well if your partner is a visual guy who doesn’t find numbers exciting. Remind him that every penny helps you move towards your goal.

7. Work as a Team

Play to your strengths by putting the best person in charge of your weekly grocery shopping, researching major purchases, and making sure your bills are getting paid.

This not only helps your finances but also strengthens your relationship. It’s got be one of the best ways to encourage your spouse to save.

8. Find Other Reasons to Save

If saving alone isn’t enough of a motivation for your partner, find a reason that lines up with his other values, goals and interests.

Maybe he’ll give up his car if cycling to work will keep him fit or start growing some of his own food because it’ll taste better. He’ll save money and stay motivated.

9. Spend Time, Not Money

Get your partner to work out how much he earns by the hour (if he doesn’t already know). When he wants to make a big purchase, encourage him to calculate how many hours it took to earn the money.

It might just make him think again about whether it’s really worth the price tag.

10. Convince Him Money Isn’t Everything

Make sure your partner knows that you value the time you spend together. Remind him that the best gifts are thoughtful and heartfelt, and don’t have to be expensive.

You don’t have to spend lots of money to have a good time. An affordable evening in together can be just as much fun as a night out.

11. Make Sure You Both Have Some “Fun Money”

No one likes justifying every single purchase they make to their spouse. To avoid resentment and arguments when working towards bigger financial goals, both of you could put an agreed percentage of your incomes into personal expense accounts every month.

This is “fun money” that can be spent on whatever you like. No judgment allowed!

12. Encourage Him to Daydream About Retirement

What kind of retirement would your spouse like? Ask him to tell you where he wants to live and how he would like to spend his days. You can then turn the conversation to finances, and how the two of you can work together to fund your dream retirement as a couple.

If he can make the connection between his money habits and the lifestyle he’ll have as a senior citizen, he’ll have another incentive to stash away more cash for the future.

Your Turn…

Do you have other useful hints or tips you can share? What are your favourite ways to encourage your spouse to save? Do you think that saving together can help build your relationship?Feel free to leave a comment. We’d love to hear from you!

Pin for Later

You Might Also Like

How to Resolve Financial Problems in Relationships
Love and Money: How to Balance Finances in a Relationship
How Friends and Family Can Help You Reach Your Financial Goals