Have you ever found yourself with a partner who doesn’t pay you back on time… who’s always asking for money… or who somehow never seems to have what they said they have?
Let’s be honest – love is not enough.
Vibes are cute, but financial compatibility is important.
In this week’s newsletter, we’re diving into 4 major financial red flags to look out for in a relationship, because what your partner does with money will eventually affect you, even if you keep your finances “separate.”
If you’re staying together as a couple eventually, there’s going to be some intermingling, and their actions will impact yours.And let’s not forget: financial stress is one of the top reasons for divorce and breakups. Spotting these red flags early could save your heart, your peace of mind, and ultimately your wallet as well.
Here are 4 major financial red flags you should watch out for:
🚩 Red Flag 1: They’re secretive about money
I get it, not everyone is an open book like I am. It’s normal to want some privacy. However, when there’s a level of intimacy that you and your partner have built, it’s perfectly normal to start sharing your details.
People often sleep with someone, but don’t share any financial information with them. How does that make sense?
If you want to build long-term, financial transparency is key. I understand that not everyone may be very open with their finances, but this is a journey that you’re taking together. If you need help bridging this conversation, I’ve got you covered with this blog post about financial questions you should ask your partner.
🚩 Red Flag 2: They have a “You Only Live Once” mindset
It’s great to enjoy life and live in the moment, but the reality is we are going to (God willing) live a long life.
If you’re only planning for today, then your future with your partner will be very stressful.
It’s hard to build with someone who’s only short-term focused.
đźš© Red Flag 3: They expect you to cover everything
This goes for both men and women. If someone constantly expects you to pay the bill (without ever discussing it first), that’s a big red flag.
Reciprocity is a core value of mine, and honestly, it should be a value in any healthy relationship. Covering someone out of love is one thing. Yet expecting it, without a conversation? Nah.
If you want to dive deeper, then have a look at this podcast episode about the tell-tale signs of financial incompatibility in romantic relationships that goes into even more detail on this topic.
đźš© Red Flag 4: They are always in a crisis with money, but never have clear plans to get out
It’s fine that sometimes things arise, and emergencies happen. We might have problems with our money that we can’t fix short term. However, does your partner have a plan on how to get out of it?
Many people do not, and if it’s a consistent pattern, that is a red flag.
And listen, it’s not all red flags out there. Here are some “green flags” to look out for:
✅ They’re open about their finances
âś… They take responsibility for their money mistakes
âś… They respect your financial boundaries and goals
âś… They want to build with you, not off of you
What you can do next
If you’re seeing these red flags, it doesn’t mean you have to run immediately. It means you need to have some serious conversations about money and the future.
Start by being open about your own financial situation and goals. Ask them about theirs. See if you can work together on a plan that works for both of you.
Remember, you deserve someone who’s going to build with you, not someone who’s going to drain your resources or stress you out about money.
Until next time,
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