Surviving Finances with your Spouse
For anyone who is married, you know that finances can be a sore spot in your marriage. If you’re financially polar opposites with your spouse, then the potential for problems is even more severe.
My wife and I are in that situation - I’m a saver and she’s a spender. Not that I don’t have my spend-happy moments, of course. It’s simply in my nature to lean more towards saving and investing for our future. She, on the other hand, simply loves to shop. Doesn’t really matter what it’s for - cars, clothes, stuff for the house, gifts for our son - anything. You name it, she loves to shop for it and buy it.
Compromise is the key
With that in mind, you would think that we fight about money a lot. The truth is, we rarely do. The reason is compromise. I understand that we’ll never save as much as I want to. She understands that she can’t ever shop as much as she wants to. We both are learning the value of moderation, and giving in to each other’s point of view. Although she ends up winning more than I do - go figure.
Don’t let finances ruin your marriage
Money is important - being financially healthy goes a long way towards a happy, successful life. But if constant bickering over financial issues threatens your happiness and/or your marriage, you need to take a step back. Is it worth losing your husband and wife over money? The answer is ( at least it should be! ) a firm no. Talk it out, compromise, but don’t let money take over your life. It’s better to be broke and happy than wealthy and alone. Ideally wealthy and happy is best, of course ;).
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December 20th, 2007 at 10:19 pm
I agree totally. The biggest thing that my wife and I did about money to lead to an improved marriage relationship was try to get on the same page, and work TOGETHER to pay our consumer debts. We feel like we are on the same team, and we have the added insurance that there is someone else out there who wants the same thing(s). Sometimes that makes all the difference!
Jerry
http://www.leads4insurance.com
January 3rd, 2008 at 12:56 pm
While finances may be a point of contention in many marriages, I think a couple with their finances in line are usually stronger (in many ways) than a couple with faltering finances.
You’re right - compromise is so important!
January 3rd, 2008 at 1:22 pm
Yup being on the same page with finances is a huge load off of a married couple’s shoulders. Nothing can hurt a perfectly good marriage like being broke without relief in sight