Keeping Your Marriage Together When The Funds Are Getting Low

Money can be a blessing or a curse in keeping your marriage together. Money in and of itself cannot keep your marriage together. Yes, couples do stay together for financial reasons but I don’t consider being married only in the eyes of the legal system, saving your marriage. It’s clear to me that couples sometimes use lack of funds as a scapegoat for splitting up. You might hear that after a job loss and extended periods of unemployment, couples deciding to separate or divorce. Was it the money that ran out, love or both? I hope that your financial situation is not causing division between you and your spouse. You don’t want to struggle through this tough economic period only to end up miserable and divorced. Now, there is no doubt added stress when couples have to make tough decisions regarding which bill to pay or who will talk to the collection agency when the calls start coming in. However, I also think there is no doubting that working together will give you the best chance of saving your marriage. Tips for saving your marriage when the funds are getting low Keeping your marriage together tip #1 – Work with and not against each other It’s very easy to let frustration and anxiety come between you when you are experiencing financial difficulties. In many marriages often times couples are not on the same page with regard to how and when funds should be spent. One spouse may want to hold onto every penny possible while the other person might think you still need to be happy and live a little. Having different ideas on how to deal with limited financial resources can lead to stress, tension and fights. If keeping your marriage together is important, then you will need to be open and honest about your spending and more importantly about your goals and get them in alignment. It might be helpful to your marriage if you agree on some basic boundaries like, not charging stuff to credit cards unless it’s unavoidable and keeping track of cash spending. It will create a sense of working together and make you think before making that unnecessary purchase. Keeping your marriage together tip #2 – Avoid past mistakes Sometimes it’s hard to break old habits. In fact, it’s very hard to change your lifestyle when you have lived a certain standard forever. You worked very hard and you most likely treated yourself from time to time with special trips, gifts, toys etc. For many of us we lived above our means for some period of our life. At some point we hopefully realized the error of our ways and managed our spending accordingly. You or your spouse might be tempted to spend money on things you don’t need because either that’s what you have always done or you think it will help ease the pain you are feeling. If keeping your marriage is important, don’t spend money unwisely and create tension and stress in your home. Keeping your marriage together tip #3 – Love your spouse more than your stuff You say you love your spouse but are you willing to give up all of your material stuff and live with your spouse in peace and harmony? Remember those wedding vows when you said “for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health”? Well, now is the time to show that you meant what you said. Why not make life as easy as possible for your spouse and your marriage? For example;

• Make personal sacrifices to ensure that your money is stretched to the max
• Be willing to give up the things you love for the sake of your family’s well being
• Let your spouse know that no matter what happens, you will always have each other and will make it through this difficult period in your marriage together

I know it’s a tall order in keeping your marriage together when everyday you are nervous, anxious and perhaps scared of the unknown. I would like to suggest that you stop worrying about the things you can’t control and focus on those things you can control. Use this challenge in your life to draw closer to one another and saving your marriage will not be a concern for you. There are many steps you can take to help in marriage to make sure that you not just survive the circumstances you are in but have a strong and healthy marriage when it’s all over. For additional tips and guidance on keeping your marriage together during these tough economic times, please see below.