Money Management

Marriage and Money

Marriage and Money, Family Money Management Marriage and Money. The number one reason for divorce is Money. Don't be a statistic.

If you and your spouse fight about money, have money issues or just don't talk about money then it is time to take action.

Maybe you are a saver and your spouse is a spender, or maybe you don't talk to each other at all about money. Whatever your issues you have to stop avoiding it and work together to create a plan, that you can both agree on, to work on your money.

I have found while working with couples that there are other advantages to working together on your money. Because you are working together to reach a goal, most couples have found that their relationship is even better than before. It brings you together in a way that you haven't been with each other in the past. The possible animosity or awkwardness is not there anymore. You may find that you are closer than ever!

Talking to your Spouse about Money

Sometimes all you need to do is start the communication. Sometimes it might take getting some outside help. It could be making a money date once a week or month to discuss where you are with your money and your personal finance money management plan.

Whatever it takes just start talking. If you need help - find it - Look for a money coach or a spiritual leader in your community. Watch the "get out of debt" shows together on TV. Go to the library and take out a book about money and getting rid of your debt and read it together. Whatever you choose - make sure you both agree on it and do it together!

Don't Blame each Other

Stop the Blame Game. Regardless of what your situation is, you are both to blame. Before you say something like "I'm not it's all her!" "Or I'm not it's all him!" or "You are right it is all me!". I am telling you now - you are both to blame.

Even if you aren't the spender - you allowed your situation to get this way, either by not talking or working together or letting your partner do what they want. Maybe you were just too tired to protest. You may be a spender and aren't willing to admit it. What's important here is that it doesn't matter anymore. You are both to blame - so it is time to get over it and leave the blame game behind you. It is time to move on.

Devise a Plan and Hold each Other Accountable

For your marriage and money to work well together, you must have a plan. Your plan must be one that you create together and that you both buy into. You must both see what it is going to take to manage your money together and well. You must know what you are working towards together and be in agreement.

Then you must choose who is responsible for what and hold each other accountable for it. So if you are responsible for paying bills - it is your spouses responsibility to ensure the bills were paid and on time. If your spouse is responsible for finding ways to make more money, then it is your responsibility to make sure that your spouse is following through and really looking at other ways to increase your income.

Not sure how to devise a plan that works for you? Click here to learn the "How to" of managing your money.

Bottom line (pun intended) - is work together - come up with a way to deal with your marriage and money that you can both agree on and work as a team on!