If you don't have any plans for Valentine's Day, why not set up a money date so that you and your partner can talk about your goals, dreams and the money to get you there?

I solicited advice about love and finance from dozens of smart money folk for my Sunday column, and received an abundance of good suggestions. Here are some more tips about handling money with your honey:

For a guy who isn't a financial professional, Jeff McComas has a great perspective on the green stuff. Here are a few words of wisdom from McComas, an engineer who lives in Woodbury and wrote a chapter in the "Boglehead's Guide to Retirement Planning":

Berni Johnson, education manager with FamilyMeans Consumer Credit Counseling Service, teaches a workshop called "Tips for Twosomes." Here's an excerpt of the "do's" list she shares in class:

  • Track your spending
  • Agree to disagree
  • Keep separate credit cards (to establish credit history for both individuals)
  • Ditch the negativity
  • Set goals
  • Adjust attitudes

St. Paul Certified Public Accountant Steve Klane says half the battle is understanding the difference between a cheapskate, a thrifty person, and a spendthrift.

Nate Wenner, a principal at Wipfli Hewins Investment Advisors, says couples should review their "money actions" during the year to see if their spending aligns with their values:

Finally, who knew Richard Todd, vice president of Community Development for the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, was such a poet. He sent me three separate e-mails filled with clever sayings and verses, such as: