Five Ways to Tell if Your Fiancé is Financially Compatible

Before you walk down the aisle, you have a lot of things to take care of. And I'm not talking about place settings and bridesmaid dresses. Are you and your fiancé on the same page money-wise? Because if you're not, your wedding day could be the first of a long and bumpy journey together.

Money problems are the number one reason couples divorce in this country. And especially in this economy, you need to make sure your union is one that can hold up for richer or poorer... In other words, you don't want to marry a deadbeat.

How to Make Sure Your Future Spouse Doesn't Take You for every Dime:

1. Find out about his/her debt before the big day. Lay it all on the line. Insist on seeing his credit card bills. And if your sweetie won't 'fess up to how much he owes, do you really want to marry someone who's spending is out of control and he's less than honest to boot? If the two of you are going to spend your lives together, neither one should have anything to hide. And remember, once you're married, his debt is your debt. I'm not saying your future mate has to have a pristine past, but if you're a consumate saver and he is an unabashed spender without any regard for your feelings, this is no match made in heaven...And you should run the h--- away, very fast.

2. Does your fiancé bring up how much money you have, a lot? It's ok to talk about your assets, in fact that's an important topic you should bring up before you walk down the aisle. But does he/she obsess over it? I mean, does he go gah gah over your brand new car or your swanky uptown apartment? Is he overly concerned about appearances and social status? Does he talk excessively about the things you both can purchase once you are married? If you answered "yes" to these questions, you may be tying the knot with a gold digger. My advice--dump the guy right away, or at the very least, make him sign an iron-clad prenup.

3. Do Mom and Dad still take care of the finances? If he can't balance a check book, and the folks bail him out every time he overdraws, you might be in for a rude awakening right after your honeymoon. I mean, if he can't handle his finances now, what happens when it's time to send a kid to college or start planning for retirement? Now's the time to set up a household budget, and if you can't come to terms on one, it doesn't matter if you disagree on the china pattern or paint colors, this problem could send you to divorce court before you unpack all the gifts.

4. Does your fiancé try to impress you with money? It's ok if he wants to shower you with presents in the beginning. But now that you are planning for a future together, the excessive spending should stop. I mean, really, what is he trying to hide behind all those flower deliveries and candy gifts? Is he concealing some kind of insecurity? Does he think you won't like what's underneath once all the presents stop? Get to the bottom of this now, before you're on your honeymoon and find out, this isn't the person you thought you were marrying.

5. Does he/she feel the need to control all aspects of your finances? If your fiancé insists on balancing your check book for you, and feels the need to control your every purchase, something is very wrong with this picture. Once you're married, each of you should have your own checking account, and one joint account. And he shouldn't pick on every little purchase you make, unless your spending is getting out of control. You should consult each other on big purchases, but if you have to ask him every time you visit the grocery store, you have a control freak on your hands.

Remember, it's difficult to change someone after you walk down the aisle, but if you decide to tie the knot anyway, you might have to spend a lifetime trying.