"Financial Planning" Two words guaranteed to strike fear and boredom into the hearts of man. But, like death and taxes, financial planning is unavoidable, at least if you want to reach your goals for the future. Also, a good financial plan, worked out by both of you, can help you have a good marriage. Finances are the leading source of conflict in marriages.

Whether you know it or not, you already have started your financial planning. Bringing together all the aspects of a wedding you learn a great deal about budgeting and finances. After your happy day, you can continue your budgeting and financial planning for your future together.

While you are planning your wedding, you've probably planned where you will live, where you will work.  Perhaps your future plans include buying a house and having children. Have you planned on how you are going to pay for your future? This is the time to begin your financial plan.  Financial planning is the process of setting financial goals and objectives and determining how to reach them. What are your financial goals? Do you want to purchase a home? How many children do you plan to have? How will you send them to college? And for yourself? Do you want to retire early? All of these things may seem to be years away, but the earlier your start, the better off you will be.

For example, lets assume you will save $200 a month and invest it at an 8% return of investment. Starting your plan now, in 2030 you will have $298,071. Wait a year to begin your plan, and in 2030 your nest egg will only be $272,928. The $2,400 you didn't invest the first year will reduce your nest egg by more than $25,000. If you wait 10 years to start your investment plan, in 2030 you?ll only have $117,804.

It may seem impossible to think about saving money. One key is to remember to pay yourselves first. When the paycheck comes in, immediately set aside money for savings. Consider the payment to your savings account just another bill to be paid.

Once the two of you have determined what you want out of life and where you want to be down the road, the best place to begin getting there is with a financial planner. A financial planner can help you determine the best place to save and invest your money. A financial planner's career is knowing how to help people manage their financial situation by staying abreast of the latest market conditions, tax law and the intricacies of the various investment options.

A good place to start planning your financial future maybe with your wedding. Your friends and family, to wish you well and get you started on your new life, will give you gifts, many monetary. Using a portion of those gifts are an excellent way to get started on your financial future.

Enjoy these heady days of planning your wedding, but don't forget to plan your future at the same time.