If you're partnered up and planning finances as a couple, both sides need to be involved in the process. It’s all about getting on the same page and making sure our families will be taken care of in the future.
When two people are managing their money together, it's only natural that there'll be differences of opinion. So it’s important to talk about finances as a couple openly and honestly, and be prepared to compromise. Often the two perspectives can bring out many more solutions when planning finances as a couple.
You might be choosing goals such as travelling overseas, buying a home or starting a family. It's important to make sure we set financial goals together and agree how to achieve them.
For example, if both of you are in KiwiSaver, you both could be entitled to a first-home grant after three years. Depending on how much you've contributed, this could be quite a boost to your deposit – as much as $20,000!
Find out about using KiwiSaver to buy a first home on the Kāinga Ora website.
It's key to know how your financial situation would be affected if the unexpected happens. Here are some questions to ask yourselves when planning finances as a couple:
Here's some more information on separation and losing a partner.
Seeking independent legal advice can be worth doing.
The New Zealand Law Society website has free guides on a range of topics such as:
If either you or your partner owns property (either together or individually), there is also relationship property law to think about. Find out how the law affects this on the Family Court website.
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