Why financial compatibility should be on your Valentine’s wish list this year

By Tara McCabe · · 6 min read
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Forget star signs and horoscopes, according to specialist credit repairs lawyer MyCRA, if you and your Valentine aren’t financially compatible then you could find yourselves in troubled water.

“If a miser marries a shopaholic then I am pretty sure they are going to end up seeing a lawyer like me. People don’t realise once you’re married you’re stuck with the financial decisions your partner makes so you both need to be on the same page. Just as you get to split the assets when you get divorced you get to split the debts as well,” said family lawyer Patrick Earl of ADS Law.

Now this may all seem like a complete downer to the romantic evening you have planned for Friday, but in this case making sure you’re on the same page when it comes to finances could save you a lot of heartache in the future.

RELATED ARTICLE: Is Valentine's Day a waste of money? Aussies divided

To avoid straining your relationship over money worries, CEO of MyCRA Graham Doessel suggests comparing credit ratings. Credit files will pretty much list all of you and your loved one’s financial misdemeanours, from late repayments to bankruptcy declarations, so there really is nowhere to hide.

Of course sharing your credit history might be a good start to a more financially honest relationship, but there are a few other questions to ask to make sure you and your partner are on the same page when it comes to money.

What are your financial priorities?

One important thing to consider is you and your partner’s financial priorities. Do you think it’s important to save money for a lavish wedding while your partner is more inclined to stash money away for a home loan? 

Knowing what matters most to one another and what your shared savings goals are, is a great place to start when it comes to financial honesty. So it might be a good idea to sit down and have a serious conversation about saving for your wedding day, your first home together and even your first child.

Are you on the same page when it comes to credit cards?

Credit cards can be a pretty controversial topic. While some would argue that they’re a great safety net to have when it comes to finances, others wouldn’t go near them with a ten foot barge pole. 

So first thing's first, find out where your partner stands. Then, if one or both of you have a credit card, make sure you’re both on the same page when it comes to using them and paying them off. 

RELATED ARTICLE: How to avoid 7 of the most common credit card mistakes

Having all the tips when it comes to the smart way to use a credit card, such as knowing how to make the most of interest free days, could make things a lot more smooth sailing and help to avoid future problems.

When is it okay to borrow money?

There are a number of reasons to take out a personal loan - buying a new car, paying for renovations or covering medical expenses being just a few of them.

So just like credit cards, you may want to share your personal feelings on personal loans and what line you draw when it comes to getting one. For instance, although you might be up to getting a little help from a lender when it comes to paying for a much-needed home renovation, you may not be prepared to get into debt for a two week trip to The Bahamas. On the other hand, your partner might consider a personal loan an effective way to spread out the cost of that once in a lifetime holiday.

How much would you spend on a wedding?

According to a survey in Bride to Be magazine, the average cost of a wedding in Australia is $65,482. Did that figure make you gasp?

As Doessel pointed out, weddings can be the first indication you get of how your partner handles money on a large scale. So discussing how big or small you want your day to be, whether you would consider taking out a personal loan for it, or even what kind of budget you think you should have for a honeymoon is important.

RELATED ARTICLE: 5 money-saving secrets wedding planners don’t want you to know

And if that conversation leads to wedding bells and you do decide a personal loan is the way to go, why not take a look at the personal loans on offer below or head to our personal loans comparison page for more options. Happy Valentine’s Day!

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Last updated 24 November 2024 Important disclosures and comparison rate warning*
  • Low Rate Personal Loan

    Excellent Credit, $5,000 - $75,000

    interest rate
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    Monthly repayment
    6.57% p.a.to 8.39% p.a.
    7.19% p.a.to 8.75% p.a.based on $30,000
    over 5 years

    Competitive low rates for borrowers with excellent credit on 1-7 year loans from $5,000 up to $75,000, plus free extra repayments. Winner of Mozo's Experts Choice Excellent Credit Unsecured Personal Loan 2024 and Excellent Credit Secured Personal Loan 2024 awards ^. Min. income of 25k after tax, to apply.

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  • Unsecured Personal Loan

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    interest rate
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    Monthly repayment
    6.75% p.a.to 26.95% p.a.
    6.75% p.a.to 26.95% p.a.based on $30,000
    over 5 years

    Borrow up to $50,000 unsecured. Perfect if you earn more than $22,100 p.a. and have good to excellent credit. Multi-year winner of Mozo’s Experts Choice Unsecured Personal Loan Award, 2021, 2022, 2023 & 2024^'

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  • Debt Consolidation Loan

    $5,000-$75,000

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    Monthly repayment
    6.57% p.a.to 18.99% p.a.
    7.19% p.a.to 19.39% p.a.based on $30,000
    over 5 years

    Competitive fixed rates on loans up to $75,000 depending on your credit score. Zero monthly account keeping fees, no exit fees and no early repayment fees. Make weekly, fortnightly or monthly repayments, over 1 to 7 years managed entirely online, at any time. Fast and easy, 100% online application.

    Repayment terms from 1 year to 7 years. Representative example: a 5 year $30,000 loan at 6.57% would cost $35,528.12 including fees.

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  • Unsecured Personal Loan

    interest rate
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    Monthly repayment
    6.56% p.a.to 21.99% p.a.
    6.56% p.a.to 22.79% p.a.based on $30,000
    over 5 years

    Competitive fixed rates for borrowers on 1-7 year loans from $5,000 up to $50,000. $0 monthly fees and no early repayment fees to pay. Fast application process on the Revolut app. According to Revolut and subject to loan approval, you'll receive your money into your Revolut account straight away.

    Repayment terms from 1 year to 7 years. Representative example: a 5 year $30,000 loan at 6.56% would cost $35,768.68 including fees.

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    16.95% p.a.to 29.95% p.a.
    32.99% p.a.to 45.5% p.a.based on $10,000
    over 3 years

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* WARNING: The Comparison Rate combines the lender's interest rate, fees and charges into a single rate to show the true cost of a personal loan. The comparison rates displayed are calculated based on a loan of $30,000 for a term of 5 years or a loan of $10,000 for a term of 3 years as indicated, based on monthly principal and interest repayments, on a secured basis for secured loans and an unsecured basis for unsecured loans. This comparison rate applies only to the example or examples given. Different amounts and terms will result in different comparison rates. Costs such as redraw fees or early repayment fees, and cost savings such as fee waivers, are not included in the comparison rate but may influence the cost of the loan.

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