Romantic partners influence spending.

• Position: Student Finances

When college students introduce a new boyfriend or girlfriend to their parents for the first time, mom and dad may have lots of questions for the love Interest: Where did you grow up? What Is your major? What are your plans after graduation? Research suggests there might be another question worth asking: How do you manage your money?

A study coauthored by researchers at the University of Arizona, Tucson; University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa; and University of Wisconsin, Madison, suggests that romantic partners have a significant influence on the financial behavior of college students, even beyond that of parents.

Researchers say the study has implications for financial education programs targeting young adults, which often focus solely on individuals without considering the people in their lives who may be most influential. 'There is such a push to help young adults improve their financial decision-making capabilities," explains lead study author Joyce Serido, associate professor of family social science at UM. "How about offering education for couples or for parents and their kids, involving more couples and families in...