9) How was Money Handled in Your Home?

This might not be a very direct question which one would ask one’s spouse but it helps us understand the reason behind the spending patterns and financial preferences of our spouse. Psychology dictates our outlook towards money and this is why childhood associations govern our financial outlook. Psychology apart, it is basic human tendency to imitate what we see around ourselves. So, if we hail form a conservative family, we will have a bend towards saving money and steer clear of splurging. On the other hand, if we have grown up seeing our family members spend a lot even for little things, we will grow to be same money-spending people we saw as kids. This, however, does not mean that we cannot make amends but in the second case, it does become difficult for the lavish spouse to curtail one’s spending. Siblings hailing from the same conservative family can have very diverse spending patterns also. This happens due to different psychologies and thinking patterns of people. Moreover, if one is used to depending on other people to tackle financial problems, getting rid of this habit is tough. This might need long and patient talks and maybe even a bit of counseling. Still, talking with your significant other will help you understand the ‘why’ of your spouse’s spending pattern and help reach a common solution.

10) What would be Your Perfect Day Like?

This is another seemingly off question but this too has hidden psychology behind it. People might not warm up to this question in the first go but being politely persistent will help. Most people will tell the truth when asked this question because the answer would reflect their innermost desires. People might even go to tediously long details about their perfect day but be a patient and attentive listener. After all, the love of your life is opening up his/ her heart. You can gain an insight into your spouse’s dream life and try and see how different it is from your current one. If the utopian view is too diverse from your real life, then it is time for some serious buckling up. This does not equate to earning money like a machine and fulfilling the desires of your darling. This needs careful analyzing and trying and fulfilling at least the ones which are humanly possible for you to accomplish. Always remember that these desires might not get fulfilled but both, you and your partner, can surely work as a team to realize at least a part of your utopian world. Also, this exercise is more to do with familial bliss than a financial one.