Every couple started with a first date. Financial advisor Bambi Holzer - author of the new book FINANCIAL BLISS - recommends that partners who will be combining each other's finances should plan a "Financial First Date," focusing on their financial lives prior to meeting each other. Partners need to assume that they are a blank slate to each other and that they don't know a thing about the other's past experiences with money. The point is to share information and stories so that they get a fresh portrait of what each of them bring to the relationship.

Here are a few ground rules - similar to the common sense rules for a normal first date - for any couple planning their "Financial First Date"

• Be yourself: Don't be too concerned about making a good impression and trying to be the person you think the other person wants you to be.
• Be open: Impress your partner with your honesty and willingness to share and dig deep.
• Respect differences: Look for common ground while appreciating each other's differences.
• Speak naturally: Like any first date, you want the conversation to flow naturally and spring from issues and ideas that matter strongly to you. Don't try to trump your partner by talking like Alan Greenspan.
• Don't fall into the common-interest trap: Avoid the joyful "You like tomatoes? I like tomatoes, too!" response to superficial points of common interest that first daters fall into. A false sense of commonality can poison a relationship.
• What would their mother think?: Be polite, respectful and charming while making sure to be yourself.
• Compromise, compromise, compromise: Just because one of you voiced an opinion or has strong feelings about something doesn't mean that the other must or will give in or tiptoe around an issue. Workable compromises are still necessary in order to make your partnership more solid and your financial life more effective.
• There are no winners and losers: Winning an argument is not the objective here, there are no right answers, just workable compromises.
• Remember that you are, in fact, a couple: Always be sure to show that you care for each other.
• Listen up: Show that you're listening and that what your partner is saying is important to you.
• Never lay blame: Use "I" statements rather than "because you" indictments, as these can go a long way in reducing resentment and hurt feelings
• Let's do this again: Go for a good night kiss and ask for the next date. Don't make vague promises ("I'll call you sometime") - actually schedule your next date. This can be another sharing session or, if you feel like you've covered all you need to cover at this stage you can make your first big leap into financial couplehood and schedule your initial Financial State of the Union Meeting.