Some couples can save by eliminating duplicate coverage. It might be more economical for one spouse with a cafeteria benefits plan to drop health insurance in favor of disability insurance and become a dependent on the spouse's medical plan. But be sure to consider the cost of adding a dependent. Seek help from company benefits departments in weighing the options. It has become increasingly popular for newly hitched husbands and wives to set up a joint household account while maintaining individual discretionary accounts.
Financial advisers say separate personal spending accounts can sharply reduce bickering over money.
As the marriage flourishes, the household account often gets larger and the separate accounts shrink. Discuss goals and dreams. While it can be good to have separate checking accounts, it's important to pool resources. The idea might not be as offbeat as it sounds. Such money-tracking programs, says Sinclair, help couples plan by giving them real numbers rather than guesses on where their money goes.