3 Ways to Tell If Your Date Is a Financial Match

While it may be difficult to determine whether your date is a financial match from the onset, there are tell-tale signs that could present themselves throughout your conversation. You have to be attentive. The very last thing you want to do is scare your date off by asking hard financial questions immediately and risking coming across as controlling or too focused on money. At the same time, it's extremely crucial to determine whether or not you two are a financial fit before committing fully. If you have financial goals, chances are you're actively working toward achieving them. Figuring out if your date is a financial match without being awkward can make or break your potential relationship. So, if you manage to go about it the right way, it could save you a whole lot of money in the future and help you avoid a messy and costly divorce settlement. While some people may focus on things like looks, social status, and personality, millionaire status can be equally important to some. Consider these three ways to determine if your date is a financial match without being awkward.

Be Yourself

First impressions last, right? So, avoid putting up a facade in an attempt to impress your date. If they get the impression that you're high maintenance because you decided to arrive in your million-dollar suit and expensive jewelry, that's probably the lasting impression of you that your date will have. One of two scenarios could result from this. One, they may think that you're out of their league because you probably spend your time going on shopping sprees and expensive international trips. On the other hand, if your date is financially secure, they may expect you to keep up the pretense, which could affect your goals and cut deep into your pocket.

Talk About Goals

Honesty is the best policy. Setting the tone from the get-go and being open about where you see yourself in the future, especially in terms of finance, will present a platform for your date to express whether or not they agree. Based on their response to what you say, you'll be able to read between the lines and see if you are on the same page. Discussing your life goals can be a subtle way of getting your date to open up and talk about their own. In turn, you'll be able to get a better sense of the type of life they aspire to live, some of their spending habits, as well as what they are actively doing to achieve their goals. For example, if your date's main motivation is to get public approval, that can be a red flag. Generally, people that thrive on getting recognition from the masses may develop poor spending habits while trying to impress others or prove something to someone. That's one sure way of losing sight of your financial goals and possibly slipping into debt as well.

Discuss Background

Based on a person's upbringing and background, you may be able to determine what kind of relationship they have with money. Believe it or not, family dynamics do quite often impact how a person sees money. There are so many stories of people who grew up poor and developed and entrepreneurial spirit from a very young age, and that's applaudable. Others with a similar background may have just opted to explore get-rich-quick schemes. In such a case, run! On the flip side, people that grew up with lots of money at their disposal may become lazy and unmotivated to work for their money or set financial goals. Think about it, if your parents became millionaires before you were born and the most work you had to do for an increase in your allowance was wash the dishes for a week, then you might be coming from a very different place than your possible partner.

While saving is good and all, investing plans can form the bigger picture of your relationship's future. Letting your money work for you with minimal labor and intervention from you is a great way to improve your financial standing. If your partner is all about lavish gifts and living for the now, they probably don't have any real financial goals—unless their goal is to fall into debt as quickly as possible. A common vision in a relationship is a good foundation; and whether it relates to money, family setup, or work, there needs to be a mutual understanding. After all, what's the point of living frugally and exploring different investment options, only for your partner to throw it all down the drain? Not worth it. So, the sooner you find out what your date's approach to finances is, the better. If it means cutting ties with them a few hours after meeting them, then so be it. In the long run, an immediate departure is better than signing up for a life of debt, financial stress, and overall poor money-related decisions.