5 essential money conversations to have before proposing to your partner

Valentine's Day has a tendency to inspire sweeping gestures like marriage proposals - but before you swap the box of chocolates or dozen roses for a diamond ring, you'll want to make sure you've talked through the practical side of things with your partner.

"You'll want to have really good, open communication about where you currently are financially and what your financial goals are," says Mikel Van Cleve, certified financial planner and director of personal finance advice at USAA. "It's really important that both individuals come together and be on the same page in order to avoid conflict later down the road."

While money conversations aren't the most romantic, they must happen. After all, arguments about money are a leading predictor of divorce.

Consider these five topics before popping the question: