Sometimes, people spend or save the way they do out of habit. Or, they are not aware that there's any other way to live. Or they've never thought about developing financial goals and working toward them in their everyday financial interactions.

If your potential partner is a spender and you're a saver (or vice versa), you don't have to write the relationship off completely. If either of you is willing to live like the other, there's hope, but if you're both entrenched in your financial ways of living, you're likely going to struggle.

To find out, have a serious discussion about finances before formalizing your relationship. In that conversation (or series of conversations), talk about where you see yourself financially in five years, 10 years, 20 years, and beyond.

Also, make sure you discuss potential financial hotspots by asking the questions listed below:

Financial Hotspots for Couples

• How much income do you make?

• How many assets do you have, and how much debt do you have?

• As a general rule, how much money are you comfortable keeping in savings?

• What percentage of your income do you like to contribute or otherwise give away?

• How would you respond if a friend or family member asks to borrow money?

• Would you rather rent or buy a place to live? If rent, for how long?

• Would you rather rent or buy a place to live? If rent, for how long?

• Do you eventually see yourself being mortgage-free? If so, in how many years?

• How do you feel about having credit card or store charge-card debt?

• Do you pay off your credit cards or store-charge cards every month?

• Do you prefer to lease a new car, buy a car on credit, or save to pay cash for a car?

• How important is it to you to be able to eat out one or more nights per week, get take-out regularly, and stop by the coffee shop every morning?

• How often do you shop for new clothes or buy new toys (electronics, golf clubs, etc.)? Do you pay cash for these items?

• Do you ever want to join a country club or athletic club?

• What sort of vacations do you see yourself taking? What sort of places would you like to go? At what category of hotel would you stay?

• Have you already started saving for retirement? At what age do you plan to retire?

• Regarding children, how do you feel about giving an allowance versus giving them money when they want/need it?

• Will you buy your children cars when they turn sixteen? Will you pay for their gas, insurance, and maintenance?

• Will you pay for your children's college costs? If so, all or a portion?

• Will you pay for a child's wedding? If so, all or a portion?

• How do you anticipate caring for your aging parents, if they need assistance? Will we pay for their care? Will they live with us?

After answering these questions, you might find that you two will have to deal with differences in your financial goals.