Combining finances after marriage can feel overwhelming—especially when debt is involved. Whether you're entering your marriage with student loans, credit card debt, or a car loan, you're not alone. Many couples are navigating how to build a future while managing the weight of debt. The good news? With communication, teamwork, and a plan, you can tackle debt as a united front.
As someone who started marriage while on a financial freedom journey—both my husband and I having debt separately —I know firsthand how tricky it is to balance love and loans. But I also know how powerful it is when two people work together toward a shared financial goal.
⭐️Financial freedom and the is personal, so no one way fits all. With that said, only combine your finances, if that is what you and your spouse decides to do. Both people have to want it and agree to it.⭐️
📉 Why Tackling Debt as a Couple Matters
Marriage is a partnership—and that includes your money. When you carry debt into your marriage and don’t make a plan to address it, it can create:
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Tension over spending habits
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Stress about how bills will get paid
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Miscommunication around priorities and goals
But when you face it together, debt becomes a challenge you’re both overcoming—not a burden dividing you.
🗣️ Step 1: Have an Honest Money Talk
Before diving into budgets or payments, sit down and talk about:
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All debts you each have (credit cards, student loans, car loans, etc.)
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Your monthly income and bills
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Your financial goals (home ownership? early retirement? travel?)
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Your feelings around money—was one of you raised in a saver home and the other in a spender one?
💡 Tip: This isn’t about blame—it’s about transparency. Use this time to get on the same page and build trust.
⭐️Honestly, my husband, at the time boyfriend, and I had this talk in phases. It was easier for us to talk about money, our numbers, and debt with a series of conversations. This helped us both slowly diminish the stigma around dating and finances.⭐️
💳 Step 2: List All Debts and Decide on a Payoff Strategy
Once everything’s out in the open, make a full list of your combined debts. Include:
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Total balance
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Interest rate
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Minimum monthly payment
Now decide which debt payoff method fits your marriage:
👉 Debt Snowball Method
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Pay off the smallest debt first
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Gain motivation with quick wins
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Best if you're looking for momentum and emotional satisfaction
👉 Debt Avalanche Method
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Pay off highest-interest debt first
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Save the most money long-term
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Best if you’re focused on math and minimizing total interest
💬 Our story: My husband and I use the debt Avalanche method now but we started with the debt snowball method. Watching our smallest debts disappear gave us the motivation to keep going. We celebrated each mini-win and used that joy to fuel the next goal.
💵 Step 3: Create a Joint Budget (That Still Allows Freedom)
Budgeting together doesn’t mean micromanaging. It means deciding where your money is going—on purpose.
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Set a joint monthly budget that covers all bills and minimum debt payments.
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Allocate extra income to your priority debt (whether it’s student loans or credit cards).
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Consider having a “fun money” amount for each person—this helps reduce friction!
Use a shared Google Sheet, budgeting app, or even pen & paper. (That’s what we use)
💡 Step 4: Increase Income + Cut Expenses Together
You don’t have to hustle 24/7, but a little creativity can go a long way:
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Pick up a side hustle like DoorDash, freelance work, or printables (been there, done that!)
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Sell unused items in your home
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Cut unused subscriptions, renegotiate bills, or grocery shop smarter
💬 Personal example: After I paid off my car loan, we focused on bringing in more side income to throw at our student loans. It wasn’t always easy, but every extra $100 added up.
💬 Step 5: Revisit, Adjust, and Celebrate Together
Your budget and debt plan aren’t set in stone. Life happens—jobs change, emergencies pop up, new priorities emerge.
Check in monthly:
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How much progress did you make?
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Is your budget realistic?
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Can you pay more toward your debt this month?
Don’t forget to celebrate wins, no matter how small. Whether it’s paying off a $500 credit card or staying within budget for the first time—those moments matter.
✨ Final Thoughts: You're Building More Than a Budget—You're Building a Life
Debt can feel like a dark cloud—but when you and your spouse are committed to financial freedom, you’re building something stronger than the numbers: trust, discipline, peace, and a legacy.
Take it one step at a time, be patient with each other, and remember—every payment is progress. Your love story is powerful, and your finances can be too.