Adapting Financial Planning Process for Couples With Changing Times

Kiara and Karan decided to get married after a long 8 years of courtship. They had decided to respect each other’s space and individuality even after marriage. As a part of this arrangement, they have a very one of a kind way of handling their personal finances. Their financial planning is quite unique. They have life goals as a family and they also have their individual financial goals.

They are contributing to the common goals as well as following their respective dreams. The household expenses including the rent of the house are shared equally between the two of them. The remaining surplus is then assigned to Investment Planning towards individual and common goals.

As financial planners, we have handled quite a few families in the age group of 35 and more which are following the societal norms of ‘One family One Plan’. They generally have family goals like child education, marriage and retirement. The couple together will work towards these goals. There will not be any goals specific to them both alone. But there is a noticeable difference in the new age couples. They have individual viewpoint of their life.

They will have some common goals like children education, Retirement Planning etc. They will plan parental care for their respective parents. Additionally, they may have goals like starting one’s own business, taking a sabbatical to explore the world, starting a NGO for some cause, embarking on spiritual journey to find purpose of life, etc.

Financial Life planning is the solution to provide solutions to this generation. We have to blend seamlessly the togetherness with individuality. We first start with Cash flow analysis and asset -liabilities. It is followed by their income versus expenses assessment and individual net worth. Budgeting of expenses for both the partners is very essential to ensure that they contribute towards day to day expenses in equal proportions. Example: If Kiara is spending Rs 24000 on household expenses, Karan will take the responsibility to pay the rent of Rs 23000 p.m.

The next step is creation of an emergency fund. Two Separate emergency funds for individual needs (parental care etc) and one common for household. Then life insurances are taken after assessing the financial dependency of partner as well as their respective families. So, they opted for a term insurance plan like Edelweiss Tokio Life Zindagi Plus which provided a better half benefit, under which they both will received a life cover. Medical Insurances was taken as family floater. They decided to take separate policies for their respective parents and pay premium for the same. Finally, before goal-based investment decisions are taken, their risk appetite was considered as each would be investing the surpluses proportionately and the type of investments will reflect their risk profile and goal.

Neha Panchal - Financial Content Writer

Neha used to be an Engineer by Profession and Writer by passion, which is until she started pursuing full-time writing. She's presently working as a Financial Content Writer, with a keen interest in all things related to the Insurance Sector.