Are you financially compatible with your (potential) spouse?

I found this cute quiz on CNN Money and thought I'd share. We're at that age where marriage is an option and most of us are looking forward to spending the rest of our lives with someone special. But oftentimes we underestimate the impact of our own (or our partner's) financial habits on the potential lifelong partnership. You will hear this over and over, and statistics have shown, repeatedly, that the leading cause of divorce is MONEY.

Somehow, when we're all in love (and before we're married), we don't take it as seriously as we should. I mean how petty would you sound if you told your homies you were deciding not to marry your sig other because his/her financial habits are just atrocious...or don't align with your long term financial goals. That sounds kind of silly right? It's like, you're giving up on the supposed love of your life because of THAT...something as simple as money. Their money habits could change! You aren't perfect either. You'll just take ownership of the bills and budgeting. You'll closely monitor the spending. You'll keep it all in check.

As quickly as we put this problem to the side and decide to deal with it later...it comes rearing it's ugly head and we wish we would've thought twice.

One of the things I admire most about one of my "young role model couples" is that before they got married, they seemed to have a very secure hold on how they would work together financially. They didn't live together but they both considered each other in the majority of their financial decisions. A financial problem for one person, was seen as a financial problem for the other as well. It was always a group effort...even while they were on their way to marriage. Smart move I think.

So the quiz asks a few questions (about 11) on your spending habits and financial decision making skills. At the end it categorizes you into one of four buckets:

1) Socially Driven
2) Financially Driven
3) Physically Driven
4) Inner Driven

I ended up with at least two points in each bucket but I ended up being mostly inner driven. My close second place was financially driven. I would have to heavily agree with both those assertions.

You take it (even if you're single) and have your partner take it (if you're not). See if it matches up with your perceived financial strengths in the relationship. Maybe you'll find out something new! At least, you'll start up a conversation you may need to have before making any major decisions :-)

Financial Compatibility Quiz