Valentine’s Day is about all things romantic, everything that a girl (or boy) dreams of—candlelight dinners, red roses, chocolates, hearts, romantic getaways and spending the day with your loved one.

As a grownup version of that romantic, who continues to believe in the magic of February 14, I would like to make a small suggestion. Set aside some time for a money date, to discuss finance!

Did I just kill all the romance? If you are among those who believe in sustaining that romance with your partner all through your life, then this discussion is very essential.

Walk with me as we discuss a few tips about this money discussion.

It’s we-day

I don’t even need to tell you this, right? If you don’t share on V-Day, then when? Share your hopes, your goals, your dreams, and your fears. And include the money part of all that. Who talks money on this special day, you ask? Yes, you must. Because money is an important part of everyone’s life. The sooner you are open about it and committed to sharing your money journey, the stronger your relationship will be and the farther you will go together.

Together we shall

Now that you have swapped dreams and resolved to help each other realise those, break those down into practical goals. I always write down my goals—short, medium, and long-term. That makes it clear where I want to be and what needs to be done to get there. No, you do not have to start writing on V-Day. Plan to do your homework individually and discuss the goals on your next money date (every money date is V-Day—value day!). Remember that these goals are dynamic and will keep changing as life goes on. Know what must happen now and what can wait. The trick is to find the right balance that will keep you going stronger, together.

Happy money ever after

After a couple of money dates like this (starting this auspicious Valentine’s Day) you will find things starting to fall in place. You will easily get into budgeting, various modes of investing, tax planning and insurance. Before you know it, you will be into happily-ever-after retirement planning.

When you are ready, usher in an important person into your life. No, not that! I mean your financial advisor, who will expertly take all the planning, analysis and action off your shoulders. And leave you both free to enjoy the fruits of your loving efforts together.

And if you make the beginning this V-Day as I have suggested, your financial advisor will happily meet you with a bouquet of roses. You see, very rarely does the money expert get to meet a couple so prepared and so farsighted in money matters.

Make money your mate

This is what Kathryn Vance-Perez, author of Love and Truth has to say: “I’m not saying it will always be easy because we are human. Two people in love will always have uphill battles but it’s how you handle those challenges that truly matter.”

Money can be a serious challenge to handle and even to talk about. Unless, along with the pizza date, the movie date, the dancing date, and the just-like-that date, you make time for regular honest and intimate money dates. To repeat, nothing like this Valentine’s Day to make a beginning.