Financial Green Flags in A Partner

One of the first things I remember really liking about Dr Chris was that he had savings. I didn’t know how much, I wasn’t bothered about that, but I was bothered that this bloke who I was starting to have feelings for felt stable, secure and grown-up. Somebody who was thinking about the future and capable of following through. 

I also remember telling people about how that was such a positive for me and I could absolutely feel the judgement. I didn’t really think much of it at the time - I do me, regardless of what people think - but it’s so interesting now that I know a little more about people’s attitudes to money, people’s perception of what that meant.

To me, I am absolutely rooting for twenty-four-year-old Eleanor who was doing her best to make good decisions, have solid people about her, even though she felt like she was drowning. Perhaps it was the way I worded it, perhaps it is the assumption of what women are looking for in relationships, I don’t know, but I do know that it is not wrong to consider a partner’s attitude towards money.

It is, in fact, imperative!

Here are some green flags to look out for: 

Green Flag No. 1: Proportional Contributions

It’s absolutely normal in a relationship for one person to have more and one person to have less, it might not be a huge gap, it might not stay like that forever, it might not matter if you end up totally sharing finances, but if your partner is the one with ‘more’ and they notice that - it’s a good sign.

Later on, this might be about splitting the rent, mortgage or bills in percentages according to how much you each earn but earlier on, it might be ‘I know you’d love to see this band but can’t afford it right now, how about I cover that and you get us fish and chips after?’. 

Imagine how that sort of perception, awareness and thoughtfulness would filter into other areas of life! (And yes I’m thinking sexily.)

Green Flag No. 2: They Have Savings

It doesn’t need to be perfect, depending on the life stage it might just be a few hundred in a cash ISA, or it could be a whole pension, investments, insurance and emergency fund setup but this is a person who has thought about the future and followed through.

All saving takes a conscientious decision and that’s a good sign!

Green Flag No. 3: They Communicate

This will look different over time of course, but somebody who will speak about money from the get go is a good option.

It might look like bringing up splitting the bill, or, if they’re going to pay then they tell you rather than just doing it. It could be asking about your budget when planning stuff, or being open about theirs even if it might limit things. It could look like having ambitions to start a business or further their skills through education.

For me. it will also look like being interested in talking about politics and the world around us - we’re adults here, with adult lives, it would be embarrassing to settle with somebody who has no knowledge or curiosity about the world and their place in it. 

Green Flag No. 4: They Love Their Stuff and Look After It

This is the opposite to the fifth red flag from the last post - somebody that spends money trying to impress other people. This is somebody who knows what they enjoy and spends on what matters to them.

People like this are more confident in themselves, less judgemental of others and once again, are the type of people that have thought about their place in the world - sounds like a good partner to me. 

Green Flag No. 5: They Take Some Risks

Life is for living after all and you’re going to want to have some fun along the way!

Look for people who know how to have fun on a smaller budget (picnics, bath bombs, lake swimming maybe?), people who will spend on their hobbies and interests and people who prioritise what’s important to them - maybe they’ve swapped careers, maybe they’ve decided not to own property so they can travel, maybe they’ve chosen to homeschool.

Reasonable risk takers are great people to be around. 

Make Sure You’re A Green Flag Partner Too

If these sound like great qualities to have in yourself, you’d be right! We should all, whether in a relationship, looking for one, or not, be cultivating this sort of energy in ourselves.

Solid, sensible, aware, silly, fun and centred. This isn’t just about money is it? It’s about who we are and how we move through the world - money just makes that possible. 

What money green flags have you found in other people or yourself?

Love Eleanor. Xxx