After You Get Married, Make These 5 Moves With Your Money (2024)

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Congratulations! You’ve said your vows. You’ve thrown that bouquet (who knew Grandma could jump like that?). You’re even rocking a nice tan from your honeymoon.

Now married life really begins. Like it or not, your finances are a major factor in your marriage. According to Dave Ramsey, 86% of couples who got married in the last five years started out in debt.

It’s OK. Take a deep breath. We’ve put together a quick challenge for married couples to get your finances in shape for your happily ever after.

Do you accept the challenge? If so, say, “I do” (again).

1. Launch Your Joint Real Estate Empire With $500

It’s no secret: Investing is a great way to grow your money. But that’s something only wealthy people do, right?

Wrong.

You don’t have to be Warren Buffet to get started with investing.In fact, you can get started with just $500, using a company called Fundrise.

Through the Fundrise Starter Portfolio, your money will be split into two portfolios that support private real estate around the United States. You’ll pay a 0.85% annual asset management fee and a 0.15% annual investment advisory fee.

And you don’t have to be the landlord — Fundrise does all the heavy lifting.As tenants pay their rent, you can earn money through quarterly dividend payments and potential appreciation of the property.

It’s a great way to get started in the world of investingtogether!

2. Secure Up to $1.5 Million in Life Insurance; Rates Start at Just $20/Month

After You Get Married, Make These 5 Moves With Your Money (1)

Have you thought about how your family would manage without your income after you’re gone? How they’ll pay the bills? Send the kids through school? Now’s a good time to start planning for the future by securing a life insurance policy.

You’re probably thinking: I don’t have the time or money for that. But your application shouldn’t take more than about five minutes — and you could leave your family $1.5 million with a company called Bestow.

Rates start at around $20 a month, and you can change or cancel your plan at any time.* Plus, the security of knowing your family is taken care of is priceless.

If you’re under the age of 54 and want to get a fast life insurance quote without a medical exam, pushy sales calls or even getting up from the couch, get a free quote from Bestow.

3. Ask This Website to Pay Your Credit Card Bill This Month

After You Get Married, Make These 5 Moves With Your Money (2)

If you have credit card debt, you know. The anxiety, the interest rates, the fear you’re never going to escape…

And the truth is, your credit card company doesn’t really care. It’s just getting rich by ripping you off with high interest rates. But a website called AmOne wants to help.

If you owe your credit card companies $50,000 or less, AmOne will match you with a low-interest loan you can use to pay off every single one of your balances.

The benefit? You’ll be left with one bill to pay each month. And because personal loans have lower interest rates (AmOne rates start at 2.49% APR), you’ll get out of debt that much faster. Plus: No credit card payment this month.

AmOne won’t make you stand in line or call your bank, either. And if you’re worried you won’t qualify, it’s free to check online. It takes just two minutes, and it could help you pay off your debt years faster.

4. Stop Giving Your Car Insurance Company Extra Money

Have you been paying your car insurance bill to the same old insurance company for years? You’re probably paying too much.

Over the years, your life has probably changed — and so has the value of your car. Plus, insurance companies you might have looked at years ago are constantly changing their pricing. One easy way to save on car insurance is by shopping and comparing rates twice a year. But that sounds like a pain.

Fortunately, a service called Gabi will do it for you, and you don’t even have to fill out any forms. Simply link your insurance account and provide your driver’s license number, and it’ll go to work.

Gabi says it finds an average savings of $865 per year for its customers.

It offers a true apples-to-apples comparison at the same coverage levels and deductibles you currently have, and instantly compares rates from up to 20 providers to find you the best deal. Once you sign up, you never have to shop again. Gabi’s software has your policy on file and keeps on monitoring for savings as your life changes.

5. Get Checks in the Mail When You Furnish Your New Married Life

With your new married life comes lots of new married stuff (and marital bliss, of course).

There’s new furniture to buy, new kitchen accessories — you name it. And we know of a way that you can get checks in the mail in the process.

A free browser extension called Rakuten has the hookup with just about every online store you shop, which means it can give you a kickback every time you buy a new blender on Amazon — or even book that flight for Thanksgiving with the new in-laws.

We talked to Colleen Rice, who says she uses Rakuten for things she already has to buy, like rental cars and flights. Since she started using Rakuten, she’s received checks in the mail totaling $526.44 — for doing nothing.

It takes less than 60 seconds to download the free extension,create a Rakuten account and start shopping. All you need is an email address, then you can immediately start shopping your go-to stores through the site.

Plus, if you use Rakuten to earn money back within the first 90 days of signing up, it’ll give you an extra $10 on the first check it sends you.

Talk about money for nothing.

*Bestow: Policies are issued by Bestow Life Insurance Company, Dallas, TX on policy form series BLI-ITPOL. Bestow Life Insurance products may not be available in all states. Policy limitations or restrictions may apply. Not available in New York. Our application asks lifestyle and health questions to determine eligibility in order to avoid requiring a medical exam. Prices start at $10/month based on an 18-year-old male rated Preferred Plus NT for a $100k policy for a 10-year term. Rates will vary based on underwriting review.

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After You Get Married, Make These 5 Moves With Your Money (2024)

FAQs

After You Get Married, Make These 5 Moves With Your Money? ›

Being legally married means your spouse's income (and debt) are now yours. If one of you runs up a huge credit card bill, you are both on the hook when the bill comes due. The good news is that many couples can cooperate and work together to address financial issues early in their marriage.

What happens financially after you get married? ›

Being legally married means your spouse's income (and debt) are now yours. If one of you runs up a huge credit card bill, you are both on the hook when the bill comes due. The good news is that many couples can cooperate and work together to address financial issues early in their marriage.

What to do with finances after getting married? ›

Implement The Mechanics Of Combined Finances
  1. Step 1: Establish a joint checking account to pay the bills. ...
  2. Step 2: Establish joint savings accounts. ...
  3. Step 3: Consider opening a joint credit account or adding your partner to existing accounts. ...
  4. Step 4: Consider a slush fund for each of you.
Feb 14, 2024

What happens to bank accounts when you get married? ›

While traditionally newlywed couples have pooled their money together in joint accounts, these days more couples—especially millennials—are choosing to keep separate accounts, retaining control over their own money. Keeping financial arrangements separate seems like a good idea for many reasons.

What to do with bank accounts when married? ›

A joint checking account can make paying bills as a couple convenient, while a joint savings account can help you save for shared goals together. You might merge one or two accounts for responsibilities you want to split and keep individual accounts for everything else. Both joint and individual accounts.

Who owns the money in a marriage? ›

In community property states, money earned by the spouses during marriage and all property bought with those earnings are generally considered community property. Likewise, spouses are equally responsible for debts incurred during marriage.

What benefits do you get when married? ›

7 financial benefits of marriage
  • Tax breaks. Married couples who file their tax returns jointly may qualify for higher tax deductions and credits than single filers. ...
  • Social Security benefits. ...
  • Obtaining credit. ...
  • Insurance savings. ...
  • Access to benefits. ...
  • Individual retirement account contributions. ...
  • Sharing costs.

Is it OK to keep finances separate when married? ›

Bottom line. If you're married or living with your partner, you can choose to keep your finances separate. But even in this case, you'll still have shared goals and expenses that call for a budget. Just like with anything in a relationship, communication is key.

Should a husband give his wife spending money even if she works? ›

It may also depend on how much she actually earns and where she spends her earnings on. If your wife is working, then in most cases, it is expected that she will contribute to family expenses. If her income is not that high, then husband may choose to provide extra spending money.

Is it better to keep finances separate when married? ›

Key takeaways. Keeping separate bank accounts after marriage could help you stay engaged with your money. Paying for shared expenses could mean using bill-splitting apps and extra planning for emergencies, but it's worth it for some couples.

Can my wife empty my bank account? ›

Many married couples have joint bank accounts. Each spouse has the right to make deposits into the account, and, each spouse has the right to withdraw from the account any amount up to the total balance.

Can a husband take wife off bank account? ›

In Most States, Banks Do Not Let You Remove a Spouse Without Their Consent.

Do I have to tell my bank I got married? ›

Remember: A marriage license is the document that essentially gives you the green light to get married; the certificate legally documents your union. You'll need the certificate when going to places like your bank or credit union and state agencies to have your new surname recorded in their systems.

What is the best bank for married couples? ›

Our recommendations for best joint checking account
  • Best for basic banking: Chase Total Checking. ...
  • Best for welcome bonus: Axos Rewards Checking. ...
  • Best for rewards: Upgrade Rewards Checking Plus. ...
  • Best for high APY: Quontic High Interest Checking. ...
  • Best for business owners: Lili Business Banking.

Do all married couples share bank accounts? ›

Some couples maintain a joint bank account because it may be a way to maintain their unity as a couple and can make it easier to monitor spending. Others set up a joint account simply because that's “the thing to do” and don't really consider the decision with much self-reflection.

How many married couples keep separate bank accounts? ›

We know that the percentage of married couples with separate bank accounts is 39% at least for those having completely separate accounts. We know that academic research points to more positives by completely combining accounts which is the direction that financial experts also point people in.

Do you inherit your spouse's debt when you get married? ›

No, you don't. Any debts either spouse had before marriage remain their own responsibility, with one notable exception. If you cosign a loan for your significant other or open a joint account on a credit card before you officially tie the knot, you're both responsible for the debt after your marriage date.

Is getting married better for finances? ›

Marriage offers unique tax benefits that can help couples build more wealth over time. After all, married Americans between the ages of 51 and 60 have nearly twice the financial assets of people who are divorced or never married.

What are the cons of getting legally married? ›

The disadvantages of marriage include high divorce rates, marriage dissatisfaction, and financial strain that may occur from overspending or the high costs of raising children.

How long do you have to be married to get money? ›

There is no minimum length of marriage to receive alimony. However, the less difficult it will be for the lesser-earning spouse to transition to single life, the less spousal support they should expect to receive.

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