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Letâs Talk Money Honey
If
you have watched any of the Debt Diet shows on Oprah recently you
will see that much of the financial conflict had affected the
marriage relationships. In each family, it was difficult to talk
about the finances and that lack of appropriate communication
created stress in the marriage. This is not uncommon. Resolving
financial issues and working together in this area creates a
cohesiveness that draws a couple to each other. There is harmony in
oneness and if you are not applying oneness to your money that
harmony can lag.
According to a
survey conducted by credit scoring company Fair Isaac, financial
responsibility beats out sex in sustaining a marriage relationship.
As a matter of fact, respondents to this survey said financial
responsibility (22%) was twice as important as sexual compatibility
(10%)! Maybe this information is just what you need to get your
spouse on board with the household budget. Take the pen, paper, and
calculator to the bedroom and see if these areas two jump up on your
list of important things in a satisfying marriage!
In this same
survey, respondents said problems with in-laws or relatives created
just as much stress as problems with bills! I think that is amazing
considering how people talk about their in-laws! Decide today that
you will form a team with your spouse in the area of finances. After
all, you have to live with them forever! Sit down and talk money
immediately. Discuss how certain behaviors make you feel and listen
attentively to your spouse. You may not work everything out in one
session, but keep the dialogue open and improvements will come. At
the very least, decide on one thing you will agree to work on where
your finances are concerned. Give it time and see what your teamwork
will do in that area. If you are about to get married, the best
advice I can give you is to pull your credit reports and swap them
with your financeâ now. This reality check will bring up important
conversations before you say ãI do.ä
Selah (Pause and think about this·)
Look
at your marriage as a dynamic team embarking on a journey in life
that no one else can take. It was designed specifically for just the
two of you. That trip can be difficult if your plans are not agreed
upon and written in advance.
ãCan two walk together, except they be agreed?ä
- Amos 3:3
ã·Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run
that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at
the end it shall speak, and not lie; though it tarry, wait for it;
because it will surely come, it will not tarry.ä
- Habbakuk 2:2, 3 |
