5 Questions Every Couple Should Answer Before Splitting a Tab

Before you Venmo each other for dinner again, read this.

These 5 relationship money questions will help couples avoid resentment and split expenses fairly.

Let’s face it — love might be priceless, but dinner definitely isn’t.

For couples, deciding how to split expenses can go from mildly awkward to majorly tense.

From rent and groceries to vacations and streaming services, every shared cost comes with unspoken expectations. And the longer you avoid talking about it, the worse it usually gets.

At Smoov, we help couples manage money with less stress and more teamwork.

That starts with one important step: a real conversation.

Here are five simple but powerful questions every couple should answer before the next bill lands on the table.

How do we define "fair" when it comes to money?

What’s "fair" to one partner might feel completely different to the other. Is it splitting 50/50, or proportional to income? Are you comfortable covering one another in tough times? Understanding what fairness means to each of you sets the foundation for everything else.

💡 Smoov Tip: Avoid jumping into math right away. Start with feelings and principles, then move to logistics.

What expenses are actually "shared" in our relationship?

This may sound obvious, but many couples never clearly define what counts as a joint expense. Is it just rent and bills? What about birthday gifts? Dog food?

Write them down together. You might be surprised where your expectations differ.

💡 Smoov Tip: Use categories (Home, Food, Fun, Subscriptions) to organize and clarify.

Are we tracking who pays for what — and is it working for us?

Many couples rely on memory or text receipts to keep track. That works until someone forgets... or starts to feel taken advantage of.

Ask yourselves: Do we have a system that feels easy, fair, and consistent? If not, it might be time to try a shared app (like, you guessed it, Smoov 😏).

💡 Smoov Tip: Transparency doesn’t mean tracking every penny. It means both of you feel confident in the process.

What are our short-term and long-term money goals?

This is where alignment becomes powerful. Are you saving for something together? Do you have different priorities for your income? Knowing where you're headed makes it easier to decide how you get there.

💡 Smoov Tip: Make it a fun date night. Dream big, but get specific: 6 months, 1 year, 5 years.

How do we handle it when one of us earns more than the other?

This is one of the most emotionally charged dynamics in a modern relationship. Whether it's a slight difference or a huge income gap, unspoken tension can build.

Talk openly about what feels fair and sustainable. The goal isn’t perfect equality, but mutual respect.

💡 Smoov Tip: Avoid "you should" statements. Focus on values, not judgments.

Ready to make things Smoover?

Answering these five questions is a relationship game-changer. It can also save you hundreds (if not thousands) in the long run.

And if you're ready to take it further, the Smoov app is built to help you automate, track, and communicate about money better — together.

👉 Download the app and start splitting smarter.