I did the interview below on CNN Radio this week about love and money. Most of us know the feeling of love and many of us look forward to it. But what we don't realize is that how we approach our conversations about money can affect our ability to receive the love we deserve.

Here are a few tips on love and money that you might want to consider:



1) Communicate, communicate, communicate: Most people think it's taboo to talk about money in a relationship. Actually, in my book 'Financial Lovemaking,' I recommend couples to "get financially naked" with their partners: reveal your income levels, debt levels, credit scores, etc. Your partner, if he or she is mature, will understand the importance of having this conversation. If not, then that tells you something about your partner.

2) Keep yourself in the loop: It's okay to let your partner handle the finances, but you should know where the money's going. Financial betrayal happens all the time, and if you keep the blinders on, you may be shocked at what you see when you take them off.

3) Be honest with yourself: If you want to marry someone who makes a certain income, don't be ashamed of feeling that way. The key is to be honest with yourself and understand the trade-offs that come with such a restriction. If you are petrified of being married to someone who is financially irresponsible, then don't think that love will make your fear go away. Honesty with your partner is critical, but this can only happen if you are honest with yourself.

4) Watch, listen and learn: Most people tell us everything we need to know if we simply watch and listen. Don't make hasty decisions (like Lamar Odom and Chloe Kardashian did by getting married after knowing one another for a month). Take your time and pay close attention to the choices being made by your partner. Listen to how he or she talks about money. This will give you a sense of how your partner deals with it. No matter how much lust there is in a relationship, there is no substitute for time.

The interview is below and it was a lively conversation. Enjoy!




Dr. Boyce Watkins is a Finance Professor at Syracuse University and author of the book, "Financial Lovemaking 101: Merging Assets with Your Partner in Ways that Feel Good." To have Dr. Boyce commentary delivered to your email, please click here.