(COLORADO SPRINGS) — February is the “Month of Love” but love and money may not always be a perfect match. Bree Shellito, Senior Manager of Community Impact, with Ent Credit Union, joined FOX21 Morning News to discuss ways couples can navigate this tricky topic.

Discuss values and expectations

Shellito said the first thing a couple should do is get aligned on values and the expectations each person has when it comes to spending and saving money. This will help determine what type of financial approach you want to take as a couple. A couple who is better aligned with these things will have an easier time, but if you do not align, Shellito said, there are approaches for you too.

Create a list of expenses

Write down all the expenses that each individual is responsible for and also, what the couple’s responsibility is. From there, Shellito said, you can determine the best starting approach.

Different approaches when it comes to covering expenses

Equal: Keeps finances separate except for a jointly held account that you both contribute to equally.

Useful when: Couples consider themselves to have equal income and finances

Percentage: Keeps finances separate except for a jointly held account that you contribute the agreed-upon percentages of expenses.

Useful when: One partner has a substantially larger income than the other

“I got you next time”: Partners take turns paying bills and/or expenses for the other

Useful when: Couples do not wish to combine finances

“What’s mine is yours”: Combining finances entirely and equally

Useful when: A committed and long-term relationship is established, or when there is only one income.

Ent offers free financial coaching to both members and non-members. More information can be found on their website, linked above.