Community Education on Household Financial Planning for Premarital Couples

Abstract

Financial management is an essential aspect of household stability and long-term family welfare. However, many premarital couples have limited knowledge and skills in managing household finances, which may lead to financial conflicts and economic instability in early marriage. This community service program aimed to improve financial literacy and household financial planning skills among premarital couples. The activity was conducted at St. Paulus Catholic Church in Pekanbaru and involved 23 couples participating in the Premarital Preparation Course. The program applied a community education approach through lectures, interactive discussions, and practical explanations related to financial planning, budgeting, and financial decision-making. Data were collected through observation, participant interaction, and activity documentation, and analyzed using a descriptive qualitative approach. The results indicate that the program successfully increased participants’ awareness and understanding of household financial planning. Participants gained knowledge about budgeting, distinguishing between needs and wants, income allocation, and the importance of financial discipline in family life. The interactive discussion sessions also encouraged participants to actively engage and reflect on their future financial responsibilities. The findings suggest that community-based financial education programs are effective in improving financial literacy among premarital couples. Therefore, similar initiatives should be implemented regularly to strengthen financial preparedness and promote financially stable families in the community.