When Money Matters Threaten Your Marriage
A loss of income, secret bills from lavish shopping sprees, monthly arguments about bills… does any of this sound familiar to you?
Money matters and finance in marriage are no joke. What may have seemed minuscule when you were dating can ultimately ruin your marriage if you’re not careful. Finances remain one of the biggest reasons for failed marriages, and the worst part is – it’s completely avoidable.
Life Happens – Finance in Marriage
There are going to be times where money just doesn’t add up. Perhaps, one spouse loses their job and the other feels the brunt of the responsibility. Or, maybe the wife is the breadwinner and the husband is simply making ends meet due to an injury.
When you’re faced with serious financial matters in your marriage, the key to getting through it is first understanding that life happens. Effective communication can help you to get past this trying time in your marriage.
Here are some tips on how to keep money matters from ruining your marriage:
Don’t Keep Secrets.
You know that “rainy day” savings you have tucked away under your maiden name just in case things don’t work out? Perhaps you have a credit card to a department store and your spouse has no idea? Or maybe you splurged on new golf clubs or a car and haven’t told your wife.
Keeping secrets about money is a surefire way to ruin your marriage.
It is best to be open and honest about accounts, spending habits and personal splurges. While you may not want to hear what your spouse has to say about it now, it’s better than waiting until they find out on their own.
Stop Counting.
“I pay more than 50% of the bills in the house, don’t you think I deserve to treat myself sometimes?”
Comments like these aren’t necessary. If fact, it is statements like these that can hurt your spouse deeply. If they are doing the best they can financially, and you happen to make more money or pay more bills, don’t throw it in their face. If, however, you need more help paying those bills, speak up.
Create a Cushion.
You never know what lemons life will throw your way. In order to be prepared, it is ideal to create a financial cushion as a couple. By saving even $1,000 a year, you create an emergency nest egg that can be used to handle things when money is an issue. This will prevent you from becoming stressed and taking it out on each other.
Have Fun Money.
A household budget should definitely be in order to prevent money matters from ruining your marriage. Within that budget, however, try to find some funds that can be used as fun money. Split this amount up with your spouse each month so you don’t have to ask each other when you want to treat yourself. It also keeps you from dipping into funds that were set aside for the household budget.
Money doesn’t go on trees and is certainly a necessity in life, but is it worth ruining your marriage over?
Before money matters start to ruin your marriage be sure that you implement the above-mentioned tips. They help to minimize the tension that financial stress can cause in a marriage and ultimately help you and your spouse to be on one accord.