Reconciling Your Past
The wisest way to stay honest: Having a heart-to-heart before either of you is tempted to engage in financial subterfuge. It’s a good idea to come clean about your money weaknesses and pet peeves, such as paying bills late or a yen for emotional spending—up front, says Weil.

Talk about how much you make, owe, and have in the bank, as well as how money was handled in your parents’ houses. “That often plays a prominent role in our behavior,” she says.

If you’ve been financially unfaithful, ’fess up. The relief you’ll feel will outweigh the dread of telling. A good way to broach the topic, says Lavine: “I have a problem and we need to talk.” That way, your spouse is less inclined to get angry—and more apt to work toward a joint resolution.

Planning Your Future
Once you understand where the other is coming from, it’s time to create a financial road map. “Make sure you’re on the same page about long-term goals, such as buying a house or retiring early,” says Barbara Steinmetz, a certified financial planner in San Mateo, California.

But this doesn’t mean the end of “fun money.” “Each of you should have some autonomy for day-to-day spending,” says Weil. “You don’t want to get into a ‘Mother, may I’ situation.” For many couples, the simplest solution is separate accounts. Each of you contributes a set amount to joint expenses, but spend (or save) what’s left as you see fit. Or, at least consider a “slush fund” for guilt-free spending. That way his, say, $400 haircuts or your fancy cameras will be less likely to cause a fight.

In the spirit of being fiscally faithful, I came clean about my dirty bike fantasy. “If you want a new bike that badly, you know you can have it,” said my husband. True to Weil’s prediction, it seemed about as appealing as a new appliance, once I knew it was within reach. Besides, if it’s thrill I want, there’s always mountain biking.