Alpha Consumer

Quiz: Are You Ready to Get Married?

By Kimberly Palmer

Posted: July 2, 2008

In addition to the more romantic aspects of marriage, walking down the aisle also leads to a union of finances. Before deciding whether or not to tie the knot, you may want to consider the long-lasting ramifications it could have on your bank account. Take this Alpha Consumer Quiz to help determine your level of nuptial-readiness:

  1. Have you and your potential spouse discussed whether you will share bank accounts or keep them separate?
  2. Could you describe your partner's spending habits and how they differ from your own?
  3. Do you know how much debt, including credit cards and student loans, your potential spouse would bring into the marriage and have a general idea of his or her credit worthiness?
  4. Have you discussed your partner's future career plans, including any plans to return to school or make a major career change?
  5. Do you know how you and your partner would respond to struggling family members or close friends who ask to borrow money?
  6. Are you comfortable with your future spouse inheriting most of your assets after your death, as most states allow, barring any pre-nuptial or other legal arrangements?
  7. If you are bringing significant assets into the marriage, have you decided how they will be divided (or not) in the event of divorce?
  8. Over the course of your relationship, have you noticed either of you lying about purchases, keeping secrets about money, or making large purchases after fights?

Explanation of score:

0 to 2 points: You may want to consider sitting down for some open, honest conversations about money with your partner. Financial experts recommend going into marriage with a clear idea of each other's expectations and financial habits.

3 to 6 points: You're headed in the right direction, but more premarital discussions about money could help prevent unpleasant surprises after the exchange of vows.

7 to 8 points: Congratulations, you and your partner appear to have your finances well under control—it might be time to start checking out wedding venues.

For more details on the financial impact of marriage, see this story.

gfdn

this REALLY WORKS! TRY IT OUT!

1. Say ur name 10x

2. Say ur mom's name 5x

3. Say ur crushes name 3x

4. then paste this to 4 other quizs, if you do this your crush will kiss you on the nearest friday! But if you read this and did not paste this, then you will have very bad luck

Andrea of MN @ Aug 08, 2008 22:21:29 PM

Equal rights for all.

I want equal rights!

Kim Bravo of CA @ Jul 02, 2008 18:50:09 PM

Misses the biggest point.

The "questions" that singles ought to be asking before getting married are: "Where is our comprehensive health insurance going to come from, and how can I (we) be sure we can keep it in force permanently?" If the male, as husband, has to say "I dunno" to either of these, he has no business getting married at all and certainly no business creating children.

Republicans like to say they are "pro-family". And, yet, they currently wish to take the health insurance environment to the least possible security for individuals (especially conscientious provider-minded husbands) by eliminating group plans.

Think I'm kidding? LISTEN to John McCain. He is advocating a "lotsa luck" platform of buy-it-if-you-can individually with NO restrictions on those insurance companies turning you down as soon as somebody in the family is sick.

A new generation of young, responsible husbands should be standing up saying "No way, dude. This is America We vote here. You, Mr. McCain ARE NOT going to set me up for corporations to bankrupt me, my wife and my kids just because you like corporate opportunities better than you like intact families. And you're not going to do it to everybody else either."

Men (especially Christian men), where are you? This is YOUR battle. Don't be a Limbaugh-whipped, Dobson-dulled milquetoast. SHOW UP. (Obama 08!)

Daniel David of NM @ Jul 02, 2008 12:08:16 PM

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Alpha Consumer

Alpha Consumer

Kimberly Palmer, senior editor for U.S. News & World Report, writes about how to save money, avoid scams, manage debt, and be a savvy shopper. Send your personal finance questions to her for expert money advice.


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