Financial success as a couple is about alignment and understanding, much like other aspects of a positive relationship. Setting shared goals and planning for the future together can help couples achieve money compatibility that will ultimately help them keep their financial strategy on track.

Creating harmony between your goals, values and lifestyle is more important than spreadsheets and numbers. Aligning your financial strategies can strengthen trust, reduce stress and turn aspirations into achievements.

Because money conversations are one of the leading sources of tension for many couples, a unified approach can help you stay aligned and confident, whether you’re working on a monthly budget or balancing multiple assets.

Here are some simple, realistic steps that can help you achieve financial success as a couple.

1. Prioritize a shared vision over focusing on numbers. Before budgeting or investing, agree on why you’re earning and saving. What does success, security, freedom and status mean to each of you? Where do you see yourself in five or 10 years? What is your ideal lifestyle, location, work ethic or family situation? Once your values are aligned, decisions get easier and plans progress more efficiently.
2. Maintain financial transparency. Transparency builds safety so avoid secret spending, hidden debt and unhealthy habits that can erode trust. Be aware of each other’s income, debts, credit and goals. Have regular conversations about money and your finances, making sure that both partners feel heard.
3. Share the responsibility. Both partners should understand the plan and the current circumstances in order to make sound decisions both now and in the future. Review insurance coverage, emergency funds and any estate documents regularly–at least once a year–to insure they align with your current plan.
4. Design a shared cash flow strategy. Create a spending framework that reflects your lifestyle and growth objectives. Set clear spending limits and stay within them. Automate payments to bills, savings and investments to avoid decision fatigue.
5. Don’t let personality derail your financial journey. There are ways that a spender and a saver can get along and work together to achieve financial success as a couple. Setting up clear and achievable guidelines will help each of you stay on track. Some examples are personal spending money, limits on big ticket purchases, and clear check-in points before purchase.
6. Fund the future and the present. Couples stumble when they don’t follow through on their plan resulting in saving everything and feeling deprived, or spending everything and feeling anxious. An attainable balance must be achieved to successfully fund the future through investments and emergency funding as well as funding the present for fun, rest and shared experiences.

Financial success as a couple is achievable when the couple plans together. It creates financial stability, builds trust and creates a shared purpose, which can turn dreams into reality.