Most of us know the Five Love Languages – Words of Affirmation, Acts of Service, Receiving Gifts, Quality Time, and Physical Touch – as ways we express and experience love in relationships. But love languages aren’t just about romance; they can also shape the way we handle money. How you and your partner approach finances may be deeply tied to how you express love.
Understanding your partner’s “financial love language” can help you build a stronger, more harmonious relationship – both emotionally and financially. In this article, we’ll explore how each love language connects to money habits and decision-making, providing insight into how to align financial goals while strengthening your bond.
Words of Affirmation
In romantic and other relationships, this love language focuses on using your voice to uplift and support one another. When it comes to your relationship with money, Words of Affirmation can resemble offering verbal encouragement to your partner concerning their financial habits and positively discussing your shared goals.
- Put Into Practice:
To put this love language into practice in your relationship, try complimenting your partner for sticking to a budgeting goal, like only getting lunch out once per week. Or when they hit a savings milestone, you can celebrate by getting them a card and writing a note inside. Consistently affirming your partner will help them stay motivated to stick to their plan and meet their goals.
- Relationship Tip:
Schedule a recurring “money date” with your partner where you set aside time to discuss your finances. It’s an excellent way to keep each other motivated and on track. Your dates could be monthly, bi-weekly, or even weekly.
Acts of Service
Actions speak louder than words for people who align with this love language. Think of things like doing the dishes for your partner or other tasks you can perform to lighten their load. Regarding money, you can embody this love language by taking steps to reduce your partner’s financial stress.
- Put Into Practice:
You can bring this love language to life with things like setting up automatic payments for shared bills to ensure neither of you must worry about forgetting to submit a payment on time. Or consider creating a shared file (digital or physical) that you can both access to store important financial documents.
Another great way to implement Acts of Service is by researching better rates or plans for bills or finding affordable prices for experiences to share. Your sweetheart will appreciate the time and energy you put into making their life easier.
- Relationship Tip:
Think about your partner’s biggest financial goal and take steps to lighten their load. If you know they want to buy a car soon and have a good idea of the make and model, start some initial research to find options that align with their needs. By getting this step started, you’re also helping them determine their budget and savings needs.
Receiving Gifts
For some folks, receiving a thoughtful gift is how they feel most loved. In terms of money, this can look like mindful spending – within your means, of course – to show love and appreciation for your significant other. If there’s something your partner likes to occasionally splurge on, consider covering the cost for their next one.
- Put Into Practice:
Suppose your partner typically makes their coffee at home but occasionally likes to spend a little extra on coffee from their favorite café. In that case, you can live out this love language by covering the cost of their caffeine fix. If their coffee shop of choice offers gift cards, load one up with enough funds to cover their next coffee or two as a reward for staying on budget or reaching a small financial goal.
- Relationship Tip:
Create a “sweetheart fund” section in your budget. Designate $5 or $10 weekly to allow fun money to treat one another with small gifts – without spoiling your budget!
Quality Time
This love language prioritizes giving your loved ones your undivided attention. In relation to finances, it can be spending time together for financial planning and celebrating your wins along the way. It could also be setting money aside for shared experiences with your partner.
- Put Into Practice:
You can apply this language to your relationship by setting up a “date night” fund to cover experiences like classes together at your local art and craft studios. Or you can schedule “money dates” with your partner to review financial progress and celebrate each other’s wins.
- Relationship Tip:
Use these shared financial planning sessions as a bonding experience to strengthen your relationship with each other and with money.
Physical Touch
For folks that align with this love language, things like holding hands are how they best express and feel affection. Physical Touch may not directly correlate to specific fiscal behaviors – unless it counts to place some cold, hard cash in their hands! Fortunately, plenty of ways exist to incorporate the concept of closeness into your financial life.
- Put Into Practice:
You can bring this language to life by sharing the kitchen and cooking together to save money on dining out. Or take advantage of free or low-cost local activities in your community that you can do together.
- Relationship Tip:
Find creative and cost-effective ways to foster a closer connection with one another while keeping your finances under control.
We’re Here to Help!
Incorporating the Five Financial Love Languages into your relationship with your partner and money can significantly improve your financial well-being and connection to your significant other. By understanding how you both express love in relation to money, you can create a more harmonious approach to budgeting, spending, and working toward your financial goals. Here’s to navigating your financial journey hand in hand!
If you’d like to learn more about how we can help you achieve your financial goals, build a personalized budget, or maximize your savings, we’re happy to help. Please stop by any of our convenient branch locations or call 800-782-4899 to speak with a team member today.
Each individual’s financial situation is unique and readers are encouraged to contact the Credit Union when seeking financial advice on the products and services discussed. This article is for educational purposes only; the authors assume no legal responsibility for the completeness or accuracy of the contents.