The Sad Reality of Getting More Wedding Invites This Year

June, by tradition has always opened the peak wedding season—but the pandemic's pause on in-person ceremonies has surprisingly multiplied the number of marriage invitations this year. One survey found 2022 is a banner year with invitees attending five weddings on average—the most since 1984.And, while most guests will choose their gift off the couple's registry, here's hoping that someone provided a bonus gift, such as a visit to a financial planner.Mapping out your financial future together may be overwhelming, because there is lot to factor into planning, especially as we all live longer and longer.Although planners can help you set financial goals and learn how to reach them find , it’s important to

So, here's some big-picture financial advice to consider for any couple but especially for an about-to-be or newlywed couple. Share what you know (and don't know) about your personal finances: Yep, open up the books - exchange credit reports and scores, and fess up if there are secret financial accounts, or previously undisclosed debt; and, admit if you cashed out the 401 (k) account and whether or not you will owe taxes.

In a perfect world, everyone would have access to financial literacy as they enter adulthood. But many young people come of age not knowing the basics. Gen Z – whose oldest members are just getting married - is the generation with the lowest level of financial literacy. And Gen Y (aka Millennials) – is the prime generation for marriage - scores only a few points higher than them.

So even if one, or both of you - were successful in school - but neither of you knows anything about the elements of planning for a financial future, stand up and say so! There's no shame in not having been taught what you need to know. Only 14 states require high schools to teach a financial literacy class to every student while 25 states require at least some financial training sometimes as part of another course. But, you can learn. You can take a financial literacy workshop. Or find out if your employer offers a financial wellness program and take advantage of it.

The more you know, the better prepared you'll be to save for your future-even while paying off a loan. The sharing of this information may be stressful; but when you're just beginning to plan together, it will help build a solid foundation for your plan. This is also the time women need to step up - as research shows that while men and women have equal influence on day-to-day financial decisions, only half of women feel they have influence when it comes to investment decisions.

So whether you do it on your own, with just the two of you, or turn to someone else for help, start learning now and reduce stress later. After all, marriage is a union of two people, and taking time to learn about their finances and planning will allow them to fulfill their dreams in the future.