| Money can be the source of a lot of stress in a | | | | will have joint accounts, separate accounts, or a |
| marriage. In order to avoid this stress, there are a | | | | combination of both. Perhaps a joint account can be |
| few rules or guidelines that couples should strive to | | | | opened up to which both parties in the marriage |
| abide by-- | | | | contribute. This joint account can be used to pay |
| - Talk about money. Money is a difficult subject to | | | | the monthly bills as well as contribute to a retirement |
| talk about, even in the closest of marriages. | | | | account. Then each couple can have an individual |
| Couples should have frank and open discussions | | | | account with money they can spend as they |
| about money on a regular basis. Don't wait until a | | | | choose. Or, you may choose to have joint accounts |
| problem crops up. Set a certain time each month | | | | for all your money. Just be sure that you review |
| and review all the money coming in as well as all the | | | | the accounts together on a regular basis so that both |
| money going out. Decide jointly what to do with | | | | parties to the marriage are aware of what is owned |
| any money that is left over or, if you are in the red, | | | | and owed. |
| where to get the extra money to break even for | | | | - Decide who is in charge of managing and paying the |
| the month. | | | | monthly bills. However, the other party should |
| - Understand each other's money personality. Are | | | | remain actively involved and review all bills before |
| you a spend thrift and your spouse a saver? If so, | | | | they are paid. Then, in case of death, the surviving |
| talking about money on a regular basis is even more | | | | spouse will be aware of the family finances and can |
| important so that you as a couple can compromise | | | | pick up the managing and payment of bills without a |
| on a strategy to handle the family finances. Both | | | | lot of extra anxiety. |
| need to understand how the money coming in should | | | | The involvement of both spouses in maintaining and |
| be applied to paying the monthly bills, to reducing | | | | managing family finances is just one of the many |
| outstanding debt as well as saving for retirement. | | | | areas on which a happy marriage is based. Don't let |
| - Agree on accounts. At the very beginning of the | | | | it be the downfall of your marriage. |
| marriage, the couple needs to decide whether they | | | | |