One of the simplest mistakes that young couple make when they begin to plan for marriage is in the area of finances!
I know many couples who use the “My Money / Their Money” model of home finance. She pays her part of the bills with her paycheck and he pays his part of the bills with his money. The problem with this model is that from the beginning divisions are being made. When you draw a line in the sand when it comes to money it is a lot easier to draw a line on other things that would not normally be an issue.
Scripture says: Mark 10:8-9 “and the two are united into one.’* Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.”
While it is easy to say “having our accounts separately makes it easier for balancing the account at the end of the month” you are not learning to work together! Marriage is a life long covenant that should not be entered into lightly. If you are not sure that you can trust the person that you are considering marrying then you need to hold off until you can.
The disagreements that you have over the areas of budgeting, overspending, and the like are far more manageable than the arguments that you will have when one feels like they are having to pay the others bills because they dont know how to handle their own money, this will only build resentment over time.
Take finances slow and easy when starting out but don’t allow the world and its evolving culture change the core of your marriage and what God intended it to be!
Bible References came from Tyndale House Publishers. (2007). Holy Bible : New Living Translation. (3rd ed.) (Mk 10:8–9). Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.