<prompt> Human: I just got married three months ago. Weve lived together 2 years and been together for over 4. I am debt-free and manage my money down to the penny, I save all I can, and once my allowance is gone, I stop spending. My wife, on the other hand, has a large school debt and makes less than I do. She budgets, informally, but will spend liberally if shes so inclined. She wants to take trips to Europe and buy a house, but the saving for it will probably be up to me. Id like to manage our money more as ours and less hers vs. his, and hopefully have her help with saving for things, instead of blowing her spare money and leaving the saving to me. Yes, it would have helped to have this conversation earlier, but I cant fix that now.I dont want her to get backed into a corner and think Im trying to dictate how to spend money, but something needs to change. How can I bring up the subject with her in a constructive manner that will affect change?  <response>: Its tax time, so just roll it all into one big: Annual Finances Conference! Pull your credit reports and review your debts together, as well as credit scores. Discuss your assets together and what you plan to do with them. Discuss your incomecareer trajectories. Discuss the standard of living you want to have now - death. Discuss large purchases that the two of you want to make between now - death. Example: education, homes, financial gifts to family members taking care of parents, education fund for niece, yearly trips to Europe, cars, etc. Discuss savings goals. How much emergency savings do you need to feel financially secure? Will you sacrifice anything now to fund your retirement better? Discuss how you will track and organize your finances together. This includes bill pay, budgeting, bank accounts, price point at which the two of you really need to consult each other, etc. Discuss what the two of you will do with windfall money or potential inheritances. Discuss what the two of you will do in case of financial emergencies such as shortlong term disabilities, unemployment, tornadoes, death. Discuss what items the two of you want to spend the most money on. Travel, home, eating out, clothing? Discuss plans for debt repayal, taking into consideration the interest rates, etc. Discuss things like taxes, health care plans, beneficiaries, etc. Figure out how you can maximize your financial benefits, and make a list of stuff you will have to change over.Resources you can use: unbury.me to set up a good plan for her student debt. The YNAB method for budgeting. If you dont want the software, you can still absolutely use the budgeting method. Its a very simple, easy to understand approach which may be useful for your wife. Its also very goal oriented give every dollar a job, so if she wants to go to Europe, etc thats a good way to get her interested. 