It’s hard to think that your relationship with your love could be ripped apart by something as simple as money. Sadly, statistics continue to indicate that money matters are the leading cause of separation and divorce in North America.

Not surprisingly money matters comprise eight out of every ten arguments between couples and that’s because everything that you and your honey do with your money is a reflection of deeply rooted values that you both learned growing up.

So, if one partner is a spendthrift and the other is a saver, the spendthrift’s impulse purchases and high credit card balances could be perceived as lack of care or interest in building a solid financial future. On the other hand, the saver’s compulsion to save every nickel and dime rather than spending money to enjoy life could be perceived by the spendthrift as being a cheapskate.

I wrote The Modern Couple’s Money Guide to help couples address the financial rifts in their relationship so that they can spend more time on what really matters – building a healthy relationship – rather than locking horns on whether they should pay off debt versus take another expensive vacation.

The Modern Couple’s Money Guide introduces seven smart steps so that couples can build wealth together. And the tips are suitable to ALL modern couples – regardless of the style of relationship they are in.

1.Get on the same page. Do you and your love have a clear idea of where you want to go, and what you’d like to accomplish in the next five to ten years? Getting on the same page is all about understanding your common goals like home ownership, starting a family, purchasing a vacation home, or becoming debt-free.

2.Scrap your emotions and sort out your accounts. There’s no room for finger pointing, name calling, or dwelling in the past when it comes to money management. Sit down together and form a combined list of your assets and liabilities to determine your net worth.

3.Curb overspending. Overspending leads to debt and is often the root of heated arguments between couples . . . especially when one of the partners is the primary culprit. Couples need to stick to an agreed-upon budget, which includes fun expenditures within it.

4.Get the hell out of debt. Debt is stressful and doesn’t allow flexibility to chase what’s most important – your dreams for the future. Form a plan to get rid of consumer debt first, like credit card balances, followed by non-consumer debt like a mortgage.

5.Own the walls you live in. Eventually homeownership makes sense for most couples, unless you live in crazy expensive cities like New York or Vancouver, in which case it’s best to rent and beef up your savings instead.

6.Invest like a pro. Investing well starts with utilizing tax-advantaged retirement savings plans, choosing high-quality investments (just like Warren Buffett), and getting good advice early and often.

7.Design your money master plan. Pull your dreams and financial strategies together in a comprehensive financial plan. Sure, life will change and you’ll need to update it. But, your money master plan will be a compass that guides your finances so that your dreams actually happen.

My company, MeVest, works with thousands of couples that are heading to divorce court or separation proceedings. But this is preventable and it’s become part of our mission to help couples get to a better place with their partners and their money starting with respectful communication and a master plan for their finances.

Whichever stage of young adult life you're in, there is a way to manage your money. Check out whichever book suits you best.