Money Meet Marriage

When you first fall in love with and marry someone, money probably isn’t something you think much about. Unfortunately, however, real life does come into the picture eventually, and if you and your spouse have different financial goals or go through money troubles, things could get pretty rocky. In fact, financial issues are one of the leading causes of and contributors to modern divorces.  

Fortunately, you don’t have to let money come between you and your honey! There are a lot of things you can do to keep your marriage happy and financially secure.

Be Charitable

There will be times in your life and in your marriage when, despite the best financial planning, you just don’t have a lot of money to spare. However, there should also be times of prosperity. During those times, when you and your spouse are on your feet financially, you should consider making charitable contributions. Whether you give to your church, a local charity, or just a friend in need, you and your spouse will feel good about the good things you’re doing for others. That, in turn, will help to strengthen your bond and your happiness as a couple. Plus, donations are tax deductible, so giving is good for your financial status too!

Stick to a Budgeting

Let’s face it. No one likes to budget. It’s a whole lot more fun, at least in the short-term, to just spend your money on things you want. A budget, however, will curtail your impulse spending and keep fights over money from happening. When everything is paid for and taken care of, there’s really nothing to argue about. Sit down with your spouse to make the budget each month. Look at how much money you’ve brought in, what bills need to be paid, and what funds can be allocated for…well…just plain fun! You can use some of the “fun money” to buy things you each want, but for a truly happy marriage, make sure you set aside a portion of it for a date night or some family fun.

Set and Work Toward Goals

Finally, set and work toward both long and short term financial goals together. Maybe you and your spouse want to buy a home in the next five years, or maybe you want to add a second car or get out from under your credit card debt. If a goal seems impossible, break it into smaller goals until it’s reachable. As you and your spouse communicate about what you both want for the future and then work together to achieve it, you will grow closer, so it’s really a win-win situation. In fact, all of these things can lead to a happier, less stressful marriage. Marriage is full of hardships, but if you’re careful, your finances don’t have to be one of them.

Related articles

• Financial Friday: Having the Money Conversation with Your Future Spouse (crazyoutside.com)