One of the biggest mistakes you can make when preparing for a proposal is not having open and honest conversations with your partner about finances or the future before asking them to marry you. Proposals should be a celebration of your shared love and commitment, but marriage also comes with practical considerations—none more important than discussing financial expectations and future goals.
Marriage is a partnership, and it’s essential to understand where both you and your partner stand financially before taking this next step. Do you both agree on how to handle finances in the future? Have you discussed your individual goals for career, homeownership, family planning, or savings? Without these conversations, you may be stepping into a marriage that lacks clarity around essential life decisions. These talks can help set expectations and ensure you're both aligned on big-picture goals.
That doesn’t mean you need to have everything figured out before the proposal, but some level of financial transparency is important. Discussing how you both approach money, whether it’s saving, spending, or investing, will lay a stronger foundation for your marriage. It’s also crucial to talk about any debt or financial obligations each person may have before saying “I do.” Having these conversations may feel uncomfortable at first, but they ultimately strengthen your relationship by ensuring that you both enter marriage with a clear understanding of the financial aspects of your future together.