Getting wed at the ‘wrong’ time can cost you — and that’s why many young Americans vow to get their lives in order before taking a trip to the altar

In fact, the Institute for Family Studies reports that 91% of young Americans believe it's better to be financially independent before marriage. And 75% agree that waiting to wed means they have more time to get their finances in order. (2)

They may be onto something as they prioritize healthy finances on the way to a healthy marriage.

Why “too soon” can backfire financially

Getting married without a solid financial foundation — and transparency about your circumstances — can expose couples to some relationship-wrecking pitfalls.

Carrying over debt or bad credit

Young adults often have student-loan debt or credit-card balances. If those aren’t paid off before marriage, they may become a shared burden or even a source of friction as it impacts major life moves like buying a home, getting a car loan or building shared investments.

According to Western & Southern Financial Group, more than 25% of married Americans waited until after marriage to discuss debt; 21% admit they’ve never had that talk. (3)

Stunted personal growth

Marrying early may take time and energy away from self-improvement, whether that’s education, mobility for better jobs or developing independent investing habits.

Research from the University of Virginia’s National Marriage Project reveals that those who wait to wed are usually more emotionally and mentally mature, have their careers on track and have a clearer idea of what they really want. (4)

Misalignment in money values

Even couples who love each other and see eye-to-eye on most things can have very different perspectives on money — saving vs. spending, risk tolerance, emergency buffers, investments or retirement goals.

Costly divorce

According to Psychology Today, financial issues are one of the biggest reasons for divorce. (5)

Of course, divorce itself is a money issue. For younger or lower-asset couples, it can be financially devastating — involving legal fees, division of assets, alimony/child support, and possible credit damage.

For lower-income couples, it's worse because there is less safety net, lower liquidity, and more vulnerability to job loss or medical expenses.

For higher-income individuals, having savings, investments, diversified income and better access to credit can buffer that stress. They may feel safer marrying earlier if they already have a strong financial footing.

What young couples can do

Want to be as prepared as possible before saying “I do”? Here’s a practical checklist of financial habits and things to consider before making the legal (and emotional) leap:

Build an emergency fund. Aim for at least three to six months of personal expenses. This gives you breathing room in case you lose your job, have a major renovation, or a health-care emergency, so the financial burden doesn’t land on your spouse.

Deal with debt. Prioritize paying down high-interest debt before marriage, like credit cards or personal loans. Make sure you and your partner agree on a joint debt-management plan with full transparency.

Develop independent investing/retirement habits. Having your own 401(k), Roth IRA or taxable investment account shows discipline and ensures you bring something into the partnership rather than starting from zero.

Educate yourselves. Read together, take a class, work on a mini budget as a couple, compare credit scores and talk through your goals for budgeting and joint accounts.