While money is a leading cause of marital conflict, a recent Ameriprise study found that nearly seven out of ten couples report good financial communication. Before wedding planning gets underway, make conversations about your finances a priority. Taking the time today to talk about money matters can create a solid foundation for your collective future. Use the following six principles to guide your conversations about money:

1. Open minded. Take turns sharing your vision of money management as a married couple. Listen carefully to what your future spouse says is important to him or her. Acknowledge your differences and develop your strengths. If your expectations don’t match, try to find a compromise. Some couples shy away from conversations about money to avoid feelings of pain, fear, anger, or remorse. Creating a habit of regular communication can help you avoid heated arguments and can help make sure you are on the same page financially before walking down the aisle.

2. Honesty. Financial secrets can destroy trust. Share the details of your financial history and your current situation if you haven’t already. Your future spouse deserves to know if you are paying off college debt or have made financial mistakes in the past (and how you have corrected them). Share the good news too. Disclose the details about the savings you have saved or a family trust that helps supplement your income so that both of you know the sum of your situation.

3. With future vision. After you’ve shared your current situation and story, discuss your goals for the future. Be open about what your dreams are, but be ready to commit. While you don’t have to agree on everything, having shared goals (buying a home, saving for college if you choose to have children, retirement, etc.) allows you to combine forces in saving and gives you a roadmap for spending. .

Four. Cooperation. To avoid miscommunication as newlyweds, discuss and assign responsibility for financial roles. Are any of you better at monitoring bills online and paying bills? Are you both enrolled in a retirement account and making the most of employer contributions? Who will be the main contact for your financial advisor, tax professional, or estate planner? Two is better than one when you can divide and conquer financial tasks, but make sure you stay on top of key decisions and money matters.

5. Diligence. Once you are married, make updating your financial documents a priority. It takes discipline, but taking care of these chores right away protects you in case something unexpected happens. Several steps to consider:

• Update financial accounts, insurance policies, and credit cards with any name changes and, if necessary, add your spouse as the owner and beneficiary of those accounts.

• Consider combining your bank accounts if it makes sense for your situation.

• Update or write your will and estate plan to reflect your collective wishes.

• Modify your tax withholdings to make sure the correct amount is withheld from your paycheck now that you are married. Consult your tax professional before making changes.

• Choose your health insurance. If both of your employers offer health insurance, carefully evaluate your coverage options and premiums to find the best option.

Like most things worth accomplishing, preparing for a life of financial compatibility takes work. If you and your future spouse can commit to the same monetary values, it can help you create a solid financial foundation.