Many studies have been done to see how financial stress affects the happiness of married couples.  It was found that arguing about money, or the stress created by having economic difficulties, is one of the leading predictors of a failed marriage.  The best way to avoid falling into the money trap is to communicate and to plan.   Talk everything over as a couple.  Decide how much money has to be spent each month for necessities.  Then discuss what you want to save and what your long term goals are for the future.  Do you want to save money for a home, or do you want to put money in CD’s or a 401K for your retirement or vacations.  Listen to each other, and talk about how you feel, with regard to these issues. If you have more then one goal, invest in more then one way, to serve both your needs and fulfill your dreams.  Talk about money at least once a month, to make sure that you are working as a team for the future you deserve.

How do you handle it if you and your spouse have gone into business together. He have convinced you to get into debt, against your better judgment, in order to expand. The debt is just getting bigger, the business is barely surviving. He gets another job and is now out of town several days aweek.Leaving me to deal with the business.

Now I resent my spouse and he avoids dealing with me, regarding anything to do with money. The entire financial burden is placed squarely on my shoulders. I love him and dont want to make him feel bad about himself but we are in a almost no win financial situation because of this. And he will not even discuss it with me. Of course this problem affects every aspect of our marriage. Up to the point that we became so overwhelmed with debt, we had a very good relationship. Now I feel like he has left me to deal with all of it alone.

 

What if you are already in such a mess that there is no way to pay your self or work yourself out?