8 things I learned about money after getting married

Marriage comes with its fair share of life lessons, and money is among the most prominent of these.

Here's what I've learned about money while being married— for better and worse.

SEE ALSO: 5 essential money conversations to have before proposing to your partner

1. Credit scores and debt should be laid bare while you're still dating

Money is a taboo subject, in general, and couples — especially new ones who are still navigating the muddy waters of a blossoming relationship — don't like to talk about the financial predicaments they may be in. But these conversations are necessary.

My husband and I were sort of forced into the conversation as we bought our first home before we got married, but even if that's not on the horizon for you and your partner, it's still good to assess the credit score and debt situation so you both know what you're dealing with. That's not to say that you should dump somebody because their financial standing isn't as great as you might have hoped it would be, but it's certainly a factor to consider as you plan your life together.

2. Discuss future financial and investment goals before saying 'I do'

Before I got married I had plans for my future, but those plans changed (at least a little) when I decided to get hitched. I adapted my strategy to accommodate my husband — but I didn't derail it altogether, and I don't recommend that you do either. It's about compromise — it's beneficial to discuss your specific plans and goals ahead of your nuptials. Your partner may not want to open that new business, or carry the potential financial burden that comes along with it. On the other hand, your spouse may be totally on board with how you've mapped out your financial future and/or investments, and vice-versa. But you won't know until you discuss it.

Lay it all out on the table before getting anywhere near the altar so you each have a clear idea of where your relationship is headed financially (in theory, at least) once you're joined in holy — and legally binding — matrimony.

3. Schedule uninterrupted time to discuss your finances in depth

The only way my husband and I stay on the same page about our finances — and, specifically, the money that's coming in and going out on a constant basis — is to schedule time to discuss where we're at financially. We usually have a dinner date once a month where at least part of the conversation is about our budget, expenses, debt, and increases or decreases in expected income.

We also have an annual meeting at the end of the year to discuss what we anticipate the next year's expenses to be, and how we plan to meet them. While it's not easy integrating another person into the mix financially — and it can sometimes be stressful for you if you've overspent or missed a bill and you don't want it to result in an argument — it's needed so that you can both stay on track and repair snags together.