An article in the Wall Street Journal on marriage and money addresses the problems that arise when a spendthrift marries a saver. Can you have the best of both worlds? Yes, it’s called budgeting. More on that later.

The article says that while couples share basic values, they often differ on financial decision-making. Much of what the writer shares, Nicki and I have experienced. Tiffany Smith, a Navy chaplain, says finances top the list of problems in many of her couples-counseling sessions.

Communication is vital when it comes to family financial planning. The article by Julia Carpenter point...