The ninth question on my list of things to talk about before going into business or starting a project together is: 

What do you think and feel about money? 

(See post #1 in this series here: https://leighchandler.com/questions-to-ask-before-you-work-together)

Different people have wildly different approaches to money.  Some of this is obvious – you know, for example, that some of your friends and family spend easily, while others like to save.  Some is less obvious – for example, some people are strongly motivated by making money, while others need other types of motivation once they reach a basic level of solvency.  Talk about these things early, when you aren’t facing big financial decisions, so you’ll have a better understanding of each other’s perspectives once you do have to make those choices.

Don’t just talk about what, talk about why.  Understanding someone’s feelings about finances and where they come from will help you have productive – and compassionate – conversations when things get tough and big decisions have to be made.  Money is a solid, practical, mathematical thing… and it is also something that most of us have some serious feelings about.