7 Signs You’re Not Financially Ready for Marriage
Written by
Cindy Lamothe
Edited by
Jenna Klaverweiden
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Maybe you’ve finally found the “one,” and everything is going great. You’re even considering taking that big step in joining your lives together.
There’s just one small yet big thing to consider: money. Are you both on the same page when it comes to finances?
Here are some signs that you may not be financially ready for marriage.
You Steer Clear of Money Talk
According to Michelle English, LCSW, co-founder and executive clinical manager at Healthy Life Recovery, it’s a serious warning sign if talking about money makes you feel awkward, defensive or avoidant.
“Since financial concerns are one of the main sources of conflict in relationships, it is imperative that spouses communicate effectively about money,” she said.
She said more preparation is required if you and your partner have trouble coordinating your financial objectives or if you don’t have honest conversations about your debt, savings and spending patterns.
You Haven’t Established a Budget or Financial Plan Together
“Marriage is a partnership, and part of working as a team includes developing a shared budget and financial strategy,” English said.
She explained that if you haven’t worked together to define your shared financial priorities — such as how much to save, what to spend and how to handle emergencies — you are unlikely to be prepared to deal with the ongoing financial demands of married life.
You Have Unaddressed Debt or Poor Credit Scores
Marriage problems may arise if one or both partners have large debts or bad credit and no clear plan to deal with them.
“Major life decisions like starting a family, saving for retirement or purchasing a home can be impacted by debt,” English said.
She noted that resentment or financial strain may result from getting married without taking care of debts or credit issues.
You Have Inconsistent Spending Patterns
Does one partner prefer deliberate and cautious spending, while the other indulges in impulsive purchases? If you don’t address these differences with your partner, it could lead to conflict.
“Relationship problems may arise if your financial practices and perspectives on money diverge significantly,” English said. “Early detection of these discrepancies and efforts toward compromise or shared financial values are crucial.”
You Have No Insurance Coverage
The most prominent sign, according to Max Avery, chief business development officer at Syndicately, is not having basic insurance, like health, life or renter’s insurance, which shows a lack of financial preparedness.
“Insurance protects against major risks and demonstrates financial maturity both critical in a marriage,” he said.
He said many people overlook insurance until an emergency happens, but having insurance in place can save you from financial ruin in the long run.
You’re Living Paycheck to Paycheck
“If you can’t save or invest because your income is entirely consumed by expenses, adding marital responsibilities could exacerbate the problem,” Avery said.
He advised focusing on improving your financial stability before taking the next step. For example, create a budget to track your expenses, and look for ways to reduce them by eliminating unnecessary spending.
“Consider taking on an additional job or side hustle to increase income and build savings,” Avery said.
You Have No Emergency Fund
“I have seen many people make mistakes by not having an emergency fund in place,” Avery said. “This fund acts as a safety net for unexpected expenses like car repairs, medical bills or job loss.”
He noted that many couples end up facing financial strain and even debt as they struggle to cover unforeseen costs without an emergency fund.
“If you don’t have at least three to six months of living expenses saved, it’s worth prioritizing that over wedding plans,” he said.
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