Budgeting with your spouse doesn’t have to be stressful or overwhelming. If you’re a Christian couple, you might wonder how to balance finances while honoring God.

Managing money together can be a powerful way to strengthen your marriage and grow in your faith.

Let’s explore practical tips to make budgeting with your spouse less stressful while honoring God with your money.

african American couple looking at paperwork

It’s no secret that money fights are the number one cause of divorce. Whether finances are tight or you’re in a season of abundance, talking about money and budgeting can be difficult. Being able to have open discussions about finances definitely helps prevent misunderstandings and creates trust.

How can we create a budget that honors God?

First and foremost, your goal with your finances should be to honor God with the money He has provided. Look at yourself as a steward and ask: Do my spending habits reflect good stewardship? Reviewing your bank or credit card statements can reveal a lot.

Practically speaking, make sure your spending reflects your values—tithing, meeting your needs, saving, and being generous.

I encourage you to avoid debt whenever possible, as it can become a heavy burden. (Proverbs 22:7)

When budgeting with your spouse, trust God to guide your financial decisions. Pray about your choices together before moving forward.

Why should I listen to you about budgeting with my spouse?

I totally understand where you’re coming from!

Trent and I will be the first to admit that we don’t have everything about budgeting and finances figured out. Even though we’ve been married over 15 years, there are times when we struggle to communicate with each other and even have occasional arguments about money.

After setting up our first budget together we worked diligently to pay off our house and continue to live debt free.

We want the same freedom for you!

How did we get started?

When Trent and I married I had been budgeting since I was 15 years old. And even though he had never been on a written budget before, he was extremely wise and responsible with his money!

We combined our finances and created a written budget together (which we still use to this day). I enjoy the numbers, so it made sense that I would “work” the budget each week.

That being said, here are 4 tips that work for us when attempting stress free budgeting with your spouse.

How Can You Have Stress-Free Budgeting with Your Spouse? 4 Helpful Tips

1. Agree On Your Finances From The Beginning

When budgeting with your spouse, remember: you’re a team. You’re both working toward the same goal—to honor God.

Whether you’re starting a budget for the first time or updating an old one, agree on your priorities from the beginning.

God created you both with unique perspectives, and that includes how you manage money.

Your upbringing likely shaped how you view finances, and your spouse’s family did things differently—and that’s okay!

The goal is to find your “new normal” when it comes to money, one that honors God and reflects your shared values.

Change can be tough, but taking the time to agree on your finances can prevent future stress and arguments.

Sit down together and go through every line item in your budget. Make sure you’re both in agreement on each decision before moving forward.

Side Note: YNAB (You Need A Budget ) is a great budgeting app that allows you to manage your finances together. It helps you both stay on track, anywhere. (Try YNAB’s free trial and see if it’s a good fit for your family!)

When budgeting with your spouse, how do we handle money disagreements in a way that honors our marriage?

Money issues can be tough, but it’s so important to talk openly and calmly. Take turns listening and stay respectful.

Pray together for wisdom and remember, you’re on the same team! Set goals together and create a budget you both agree on. (We do this quite often!)

If you hit a disagreement, don’t hesitate to ask a trusted friend or counselor for advice.

Work through any conflicts with patience and love, always aiming for peace and unity (Ephesians 4:3).

2. Don’t Bear the Financial Burden Alone

If you’re the one handling the weekly budget, you know unexpected expenses will come up. Before you “rob Peter to pay Paul,” talk it over with your spouse and decide together where the money should come from.

I’ve been there myself. There were many times I stressed over where the money would come from, without asking Trent for help. I tried to handle it on my own, thinking I had to figure it out alone.

But once I started including him in the decision-making, he always had an idea where we could adjust. It was as if his approach was stress-free—because it was!

As soon as I asked for his input, I always wondered why I hadn’t done it sooner. Sharing the responsibility made everything so much easier. (See? Stress-free budgeting with your spouse really is possible when you trust each other and work together!)

hands holding money

3. Have A Monthly Budget Overview

Just like you shouldn’t bear the financial burden alone, it’s important to keep your spouse informed about your finances each month.

Take a few minutes together—over coffee or dinner—and go through your finances line by line.

This monthly check-in gives the spouse who isn’t handling the budget a chance to ask questions and understand where things stand financially.

When you both know exactly where the money is going, it helps keep you united and on the same page.

4. Have Separate Blow Money

Blow money is exactly what it sounds like—cash you can spend however you want!

Whether it’s $15 or $100 each, we recommend that you both have your own blow money.

If Trent wants to spend all his blow money on fishing gear, I can’t give him a hard time about it.

And if I want to use all mine for massages, he can’t give me a hard time either!

The beauty of separate blow money is simple: no need to consult each other about how to spend it. You’re free to use it however you like, without any stress!

FAQs

How much should we be giving to the church in our budget?

Tithing (typically 10% of income) is a common practice that comes from the Old Testament. God asked His people to give a tenth of what they had.

Today, many Christians see it as a guideline, not a strict rule. I personally believe in tithing 10%, and if you can give more, that’s great!

The New Testament emphasizes giving with a generous heart. 2 Corinthians 9:7 says God loves a cheerful giver.

So, while 10% is a good starting point, it’s about giving with gratitude and being wise with God’s blessings.

What is a good way to handle debt when budgeting with your spouse as a Christian couple?

Debt can be a huge stressor in marriage, so it’s important to tackle it together. Start by listing all your debts.

Consider using the “debt snowball” method, where you pay off the smaller debts first.

Stay focused, avoid adding new debt, and pray for wisdom as you make decisions.

It’s a process, so be patient as you work toward financial freedom. Trust that God will guide you along the way and remember the words of Proverbs 22:7 where the borrower is slave to the lender.

When you handle money together, with God’s help, you’ll find peace and wisdom in managing it well.

How do we budget for long-term financial goals while trusting God for provision?

As a Christian couple, it can be tough to balance planning for the future and trusting God to provide.

It’s good to plan ahead—like saving for retirement, emergencies, or big expenses—but don’t let worry take over (Matthew 6:34).

A big part of this is working to get out of debt or staying out of it. When you’re not weighed down by debt, it’s easier to make clear, stress-free plans.

Set goals, make a budget, and trust that God is in control. Be flexible and ready to adjust when life changes.

Remember, God will provide exactly what you need (Matthew 6:31-33). So, keep faith that He’s got your future in His hands.

Budgeting with your spouse is an ongoing journey of faith and trust. By putting God at the center of your finances, you not only build a stronger marriage but also cultivate a deeper relationship with Him.

Keep praying together, communicate openly, and stay committed to your goals. With God’s guidance, budgeting doesn’t have to be complicated—it can be an opportunity to grow together as a couple. Together, you can create a financial future that honors God and strengthens your marriage for years to come.

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