How To Save Your Marriage

There are some things that go above and beyond communication problems and trust issues. Money is one of them! In fact, a very large percentage of marriages end because of problems that have to do with money. It has even been cited as the number one reason why couples argue and eventually divorce.

This is one case where communication won’t solve things. If you are deep in debt or are over your heads with money issues you need to take the right steps to resolve those issues. You also need to work together to do so.

A huge problem here is that couples tend to get emotional when they discuss money. Instead of talking about how to get out of debt, you argue about who spent what on the last credit card bill. The problems can get so bad that you feel like you’ll never escape the financial issues. That can put a huge burden on any marriage.

Now, you should really see a financial planner to work out the best solutions for you, but there are some common threads that are seen among couples from all over the world.

The first issue is having separate vs. joint bank accounts. While it might seem like your only option is to have a joint account, a lot of issues and squabbles can be ended with separate accounts or by having both. That way, those tiny, inconsequential purchases don’t end up as a major source of debate when the statements roll in. His and hers bank accounts can make financial and emotional sense as well.

Another issue is debt. There are many marriages where one person had a lot more debt than the other person. This can lead to feelings of resentment and guilt. It is important to realize that you are in this together. Talk about how you’re going to handle this debt, and work like mad until you can get out of it. It’s not time to play the blame game, because that doesn’t solve anything and just compounds the problem.

It can also cause problems if one person is a bigger spender than the other. If you find yourself having to chase down each other’s purchases it can certainly get tiresome. A better idea is to set a budget so you both know how much extra you have to spend. Have a limit set where you have to call each other before making a large purchase. Having things out in the open like this instead of hidden away is definitely best.

In a nutshell, you need to plan ahead and be open and honest about finances. Most of the problems occur because one of you is trying to “sneak one by” the other. Poor planning also leads to overspending and financial stress all around. When you’re smart with your finances, you’ll notice that your marriage is a lot easier to handle overall.