Given my fantastic relationship skills (yes, like my investing, blind luck can be passed off as a skill), I figured I’d help out some folks with a set of useful questions that you can ask on your first date to find out if that person is compatible with you (or not), and has no Financial Skeletons in the Closet. These financial first-date questions are essential to a relationship. Â I actually stole the concept from Reddit, but I have put a very financial spin on things, and please add your own questions in the comments, if I miss any good ones.
Good Financial First Date Questions
- How many credit cards do you have in your wallet? How many total?
Note, if the answer is more than 4, run, don’t walk to the exit door - Have you declared bankruptcy in the past 10 years?
This might even be a pre-first date question. - How much did that purse cost? -or- How much did that watch cost?
If the purse cost more than your monthly rent, you are out with someone who likes the finer things in life (and that is not a compliment). - Do you smoke?
Any answer other than “no” means higher insurance rates later in life. - Active, Passive or Dividend Investing?
If the answer is, “I beg your pardon?”, steeee-rike three!!! Can a dividend investor live happily with an active investor? - Would you rather owe 100 people $10 or 1 person $1000 ?
Again, there is no correct answer, the correct answer is, “Why would I owe people money?” - When you need cash, do you use a “white” or no-name ATM?
There is no way you should stay with someone who thinks $3 a withdrawal is OK. - TFSA or RRSP ?
Again, the answer “What?!?” is an automatic FAIL! However, if they answer TSFA, be on your guard. - How much debt are you currently carrying, and what is your plan to pay it off (if you have debt)?
If the answer is, “I have no debt”, he or she is a keeper! However, if they say they are carrying $120K in student loans, ask what their profession is. If they are a Dentist, Doctor or some other well-paying professional, then you might be OK, but be wary.
Conclusions
Who said romance is dead? Best to ask these financial first date questions so you don’t end up in a Loveless, Sexless Marriage.
Too funny! Another red flag: your date is bragging about their stuff. Gentlemen, I’m more likely to be impressed by the size of your TFSA and RRSP, not the size of your truck or hot tub!
One guy I dated told me before our first date that he’d walk a few extra blocks to get free parking and pay for a good steak at the restaurant. To me, that was someone who was smart enough to not spend on things he didn’t value (parking) and spend on things that do bring him value (a good steak — something that he usually prepares at home.)
Did he drop you off at the restaurant first? Chivalry is still possible, even if you are trying to be frugal.
No coupons on the first date guys!
But that would show how frugal you are 🙂
No questions on who’s paying?
Very true, the infamous,
“I forgot my wallet, you are OK with paying for this, right?” trick 🙂
All valid questions to find out if the other person, male or female, knows how to manage money and not jsut spend it.
However if someone asked me these questions on a first date I would be out of there so fast.
No need to have someone controllng my life – and my money
Better to get it out of the way first 🙂