January 16, 2012

Premarital Financial Counseling: Are you reluctant to change your money behavior?

By admin in Money Before Marriage Lesson

I was speaking with a friend the other day and she reminded me that people are reluctant to change even when it is good for them. Let's put this in the context of premarital financial counseling: Are you reluctant to change when it comes to money? Does your behavior with money allow you to remain the same? Or is it that if you change you know that you MUST become more responsible. When people are struggling with finances, what keeps them from taking action? Why does this also take place within a marriage? If one spouse makes the necessary changes in order to make their money and marriage run smoother, do they feel as if they are giving in? Money and marriage should not be a tug-of-war. Yet, there are people all over the world having a battle behind closed doors. Let me share what happens when people CHOOSE not to change especially when it comes to money: a) Financial strain and struggles grow even more b) There are times when it begins to affect their health. They begin having different symptoms and end up going to their family doctor. Down side: The doctor cannot diagnose an illness because the tests will all come back negative. Hmm, they will say nothing is wrong. c) Work performance can deteriorate due to the constant thoughts of not having enough money to handle financial situation at home. d) Husbands and wives will stop communicating. Silence could become the "norm" because it would hurt too much to speak. e) A financial vicious cycle continues. When it comes to money and marriage, husbands and wives have to get to the point where they want to see something better in the lives AND they don't want to continue having arguments. Remember: Every day, husbands and wives have a choice when it comes to their money and marriage. How they will handle it and whether they want to move forward instead of camping out on the past. Don't delay change when the OUTCOME can be SOO GOOD!

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