Premarital financial counseling is what it says pre-marital meaning financial counseling that occurs before you get married that can benefit you throughut the lifetime of the marriage. Understand that this should not be a one hour or a 30 minute talk about your finances and then you are sent on your way to muddle through “money and marriage.” Premarital financial counseling should be focused specifically on finances for a certain length of time and be somewhat interactive with couples.

When you are sitting in front of a counselor with your soon-to-be spouse in the room, you could answer things a way that the bride or groom expects you to answer but it might not be the truth. The premarital financial counselor should be interested in getting to the bottom of any financial issues that exist between the couple.

Additionally, the couple has to be honest and participate in the premarital financial counseling which will help them in making decisions when they are no longer in the presence of the counselor. Premarital financial counseling should include finances, relationships and even employment discussions between the couple.

It is not just about there are going to be some hard time, but should also focus on solutions for topics that have not even been discussed. There are times when financial discussions could get heated but if you remember to stay in a position of the decisions we make today will affect tomorrow and as well as consider the long-term consequences, you will do alright. Do not get swayed by the short-term solution (band-aid).

If you are interested in premarital financial counseling and don’t have someone local that you can talk to, contact me. We can conduct premarital financial counseling via telechat or email.

You will learn about the different roles of money in your life, guidance for individuals, engaged couples, married couples and even military servicemembers, their spouses and families.

Whether you are re-evaluating your finances, cleaning up old debt, preparing to walk down the aisle or even searching for answers in a time when the economy appears to be grim, MONEY TALK MATTERS.

You are invited to send in a question that you would like to have answered. Know that you will be given recommendations on personal finance issues and at the end of the day, the responsibility is yours to choose what you will or will not do.