This is the Ramsey Call of the Day, part of the Ramsey Network.

Joining me today is Ramsey personality, Rachel Cruz.

And today's question comes from Matthew in Tennessee.

My fiance and I will be getting married in

November. We're both 20 years old. I make 60,000 as a welder. She makes 12,000 as a preschool

teacher and is in college. I have no debt and also 401k. She has about $5,000 in student loans

and a car loan. We have an apartment together and a joint bank account that I put money in

for her to handle my bills while I'm out of town for work. How does the whole process,

what does the whole process look like when combining finances after getting married?

Well, Matthew sound like you're kind of already doing it a little bit. So between now and

November, I know it sounds like a hassle, but honestly, I would still practice separating those

finances until you guys officially are married in November. Stuff happens and you never know.

So I would still keep things separate. I would not pay on her debt right now.

I would be paying my own bills. Again, keeping it separate until you guys get married, say I do.

And then the moment you guys do that, then what you're doing now, which is a little bit of practice,

which is good, is the joint checking account. So having one account that you guys are working out of, this is a big hurdle for a lot of

couples.

It's tough for them to combine accounts for many different reasons.

But that's a tactical step for you guys to do.

And then see this debt that she's bringing in, which is some student loans and a car loan,

as your debt,

that it's our debt together once we're married. And for you guys to pause that 401k that you have and take all the extra money you guys have and pay off this debt and get an emergency fund.

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