DebtSmart® Financial Compatibility Test

It is well known that money is the #1 reason for divorce! Money is very important in your relationship. It’s the blood that flows through the financial veins of the family. If there is a problem with its flow, everyone in the family will suffer!

Take this test with your spouse/partner to see how compatible your philosophies and monetary strategies are when dealing with money and debt!

You both need to take the test without looking at the answer key, or each other’s answers. Print two tests, one for each of you. Circle your answer for each question then, after both are completed, click on the link for the score key (at bottom of this page) and calculate your score.

1) I think that my parents were very good with handling money.
True False

2) Looking back I feel that I was good at handling money when I was younger (ages 10 to 17).
True False

3) I believe that money is very important to our relationship.
True False

4) I think it's best if only one of us handles the actual paying of bills (writing the checks) rather than taking turns.
True False

5) We both should decide on purchases that cost over $200.
True False

6) If you were given $50,000 with the condition that you could either buy stuff or use it to take one-year off from working to spend together, would you use it to spend time together?
True False

7) Credit cards are bad and can only destroy us.
True False

8) Our bills are piled on the kitchen table.
True False

9) We both have a formal budget that we have created and we stick to it.
True False

10) Even if one of us actually writes the checks to pay the bills, both of us know the details of all the accounts. No surprises.
True False

11) Saving is more important than spending.
True False

12) We should spend at least 1 to 2 hours each week looking at the detailed costs of our credit cards and their balances.
True False

13) The goal of life is happiness.
True False

14) It's worth the effort to shop for the absolute best mortgage rate when making a home purchase.
True False

15) It's okay if we pay our bills late once or twice, just as long as we don't make a habit out of being late.
True False

16) It's best that we both have separate checking accounts.
True False

17) It's best that we have individual credit card accounts and pay our individual bills rather than having combined money.
True False

18) The money I earn is mostly mine to spend.
True False

19) I have the final say on all purchases.
True False

20) I don't spend more than a few dollars without discussing it with my spouse.
True False

21) I am not allowed to spend more than a few dollars without asking my spouse for permission.
True False

22) We should definitely use the computer to organize our finances.
True False

23) It's okay to buy groceries with a credit card.
True False

24) Money can buy financial happiness.
True False

25) At some point in my life I want to invest in the stock market.
True False

26) Saving for retirement is very important.
True False

27) If we didn't have any money, I would still love my (spouse/partner/boyfriend/girlfriend) just as much.
True False

28) If I had to, I would borrow money from friends or family.
True False

29) If asked, there are certain friends or family members that I would lend money to.
True False

30) Is it smart to have $3,000 in a savings account earning 3% if you have $3,000 in debt at 5.9%?
True False

31) I know exactly how much debt we have.
True False

32) I know exactly how much money we have in our bank accounts.
True False

33) We should always balance our checking account.
True False

34) Brand-name products are always superior.
True False

35) I think we should always buy new cars.
True False

36) I think we should always lease cars.
True False

37) I think we should always buy reliable used cars.
True False

38) When buying or receiving a gift, is it really "the thought that counts"?
True False

39) Cutting (and using) coupons is a waste of time.
True False

40) We should attempt to pay off all bills in full by their due date.
True False

41) Spending $60 to go out to dinner is reasonable.
True False

42) I think it is okay to eat out 3 or more times per week.
True False

43) Would you call someone that is meticulous about saving a "tightwad"?
True False

44) I always review every detail of our taxes before filing.
True False

45) My spouse handles all the taxes.
True False

46) One of us is better at handling money than the other.
True False

47) I think we both have the same financial dreams.
True False

48) I like to have at least $100 cash on me all the time.
True False

49) It's better to have cash stored in the house than deposited in the bank.
True False

50) When we go out to dinner, it's my money that pays the bill.
True False

51) When we go out with other couples, it's best to split the bill rather than itemize.
True False

Check your results with the Score Key!