7 Things To Make Sure You Have When You Get Married

7 Things To Get In Line Prior to Your Wedding

You’re engaged, and this is one of the most exciting times in your life. You won’t get to plan another wedding, or focus on yourself and your love this much in the future, which is precisely why it is so important you take the time to really enjoy yourself now. Your future is bright, and you have everything to look forward to. It’s only brighter, too, if you know what you need to have when you get married to get a jumpstart on a happy life. What are these things you must have? They are all things that benefit your future, and they make your marriage stronger from the start.

A Place to Live

No one wants to start their marriage off on the wrong foot, and no one wants to hear someone else tell them how to live. However, you cannot get married if you haven’t enough money to rent a house or an apartment or buy a home. Do you really want to begin your life as husband and wife living with roommates, friends, or even with your parents? It’s not the best situation for anyone, and it’s not the best way to begin your future.

A Future Plan

Are you getting married with a plan? Do you know what you both want from the future? Getting married and sort of seeing how things go is not a plan. You should both have similar life goals, ideas, and plans. Do you both want kids, do you both want to live in the same area, do you both have retirement plans? If your plan is non-existent or vastly different from your partners, perhaps you might re-evaluate prior to getting married.

The Finance Conversation

One thing all couples must have prior to their wedding is the conversation about their finances. Finances are one of the leading causes of divorce in the United States. You must know where your partner stands on money. How does he or she spend, save, view money, want to pay the bills, want to combine income, and how is their credit? These are things you must know, and you cannot get married without being very aware of this information.

Your Debts Paid Off

Are you dropping tens of thousands of dollars on a wedding only to go into marriage in debt? Don’t pay for a wedding if you can’t even pay off your credit card bills. Get out of debt, and start your life with your financial life in order. Your new spouse is going to appreciate your concern for your future, and you’re both going to appreciate beginning your life together without debt.

Your Credit in Check

Is your credit a mess? Don’t get married until you get a handle on it. Correct all the mistakes on your credit report, begin paying off debts, begin correcting past mistakes, and make sure you are working your score in the best possible manner. Your credit is going to dictate how and where you live, what kind of career you have, and many other factors in your future.

Insurance

Car insurance, health insurance, and life insurance are all very important when you get married. If you have policies of your own already, you’re doing well. If you don’t, it’s time to buy policies. Now you need to combine these policies with your new spouse-to-be so that you save money and get a head start on lowering your monthly expenses as you head into your marriage.

A Realistic Expectation of Life

Life is not a fairytale, but it can be. Your marriage will experience ups and downs, rough patches, and amazing times. You have to have a realistic expectation of what life might throw your way before you get married so you’re better equipped to handle those things when you are married. It’s helpful to go into marriage with a good idea that it won’t always be a fairytale situation.

Marriage is amazing, but it’s hard work that takes time and dedication. If you make sure you get this part of your life in order before you get married, you’re getting a jumpstart on a happy relationship. Your future, your family, and your financial life all benefit from these tips, and it makes sense to start now.