You’ve just had your dream wedding and are ready to start on a life of wedded bliss. Unfortunately, reality rears its ugly head and brings you back to your senses. There’s more to consider, including financial tips for newlyweds, than you may have first thought.

To begin with, it’s important to discuss your finances and hopefully you did that before you got married. You want to know that your spouse is on the same page as you are where finances are concerned. Having one spouse who is a spendthrift and one that is miserly may mean there are problems on the horizon, but it doesn’t mean they can't be resolved.

One tip every financial expert will give you as you're starting your life together is to create a budget. You’ll know what is coming in from both partners, what you’ll have going out, and how much is left. Here are the basics for creating a budget:

* List all payments that must be made each month – housing, automobiles, utilities, food, credit cards, student loans, savings, etc. Also note which day of the month they are due.

* Next list when each of you is paid, whether weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly.

* Compare when bills are due with paychecks you receive to help you determine which bills to pay with which paycheck.

* Determine how much income there is and how much your expenses are. Subtract the expenses from the income to find out how much is left for non-essentials like eating out or entertainment.

If you already have credit cards in your own name, you know they should be used only for those items you know you could pay for before the card payment comes due. In other words, if you don’t have the money in your budget to pay for an item, it’s best not to use credit cards at all. They are a convenience, not a necessity.

While on the subject of credit cards, you’ll want to agree not to put more on the card than you can pay off each month. True, this will mean you’ll have to make some tough decisions, but your finances will thank you for it. If you get to a point where you can’t pay the entire balance off, it would be better to destroy the card than to take the chance of your credit being destroyed.

Many couples want to have children at some point in the future. If possible, don’t include the wife’s income in the budget; save it instead. This will help you learn to budget without the wife’s income just in case she decides not to return to work after the baby arrives. You can also use the wife’s income for major purchases like a house, vehicle, or large electronics.

Determine to balance your checkbook each month. This one activity can keep you from having overdrawn checks which can ruin your good credit.

These are a few financial tips for newlyweds. However, chances are you’ve already received financial advice from family and friends. Take each suggestion, whether given here or elsewhere, and determine which one is most likely to help. Then do what you can, and enjoy your marriage without having to worry so much about finances.