Jul 9, 2022 | Financial Impact of Divorce, Marriage
It’s important to have financial discussions before marriage because one of the main reasons for divorce is money. Couples that cannot get on the same page with spending often have a lot of tension in their marriage. Therefore, ironing out the details of your financial health before going down the aisle is a great way to pave the way for a smoother relationship. Make sure to discuss your goals for the future, as well as your spending habits. Create a budget together and brainstorm ways to stick to it. Finally, if you are in debt, be upfront about it and work together to tackle it. Hopefully, you and your fiancé can set the stage for many more financial discussions in the future.
Financial Discussions Before Marriage: Getting Prepared
Why?
It’s incredibly important to have financial discussions before marriage. Money can be one of the biggest stressors in our lives. And especially in relationships. Some studies estimate that nearly half of divorces are caused by financial stress. Discussions about your joint wealth should be a very regular part of your marriage, so setting the stage early can be helpful.
Things to Discuss
It’s important to get on the same page with one another when having financial discussions before marriage. You and your fiancé should talk about your spending habits as well as your financial goals for the future. Think about if you’d like to have children one day and how you’ll pay for things like daycare and schooling. If you are considering a prenup, you will need to begin getting things in motion for it before you are married because it can take a little while.
Creating a Budget
You and your fiancé can begin practicing healthy spending habits early on in your engagement. When you have financial discussions before marriage, make sure to discuss budgeting. Having a budget that takes into account all of your monthly expenses and incomes is a great step towards beginning to save money together. It also allows you both to keep track of your finances.
Getting Out of Debt
Finally, no financial discussions before marriage would be complete without talking about debt. If either you or your fiancé is coming into a relationship with significant debt, you need to be upfront and honest about it. Whether it’s from school, medical costs, unhealthy spending habits, or anything else, your fiancé will be taking it on as well. The two of you need to discuss ways to pay down debt quickly.
Financial discussions before marriage are very helpful because it sets the stage for an ongoing openness about money. You and your spouse will both need to be aware of your financial health as a family. You also need to set goals together like saving for retirement, vacationing, or paying off debt. Because money can be a stressor in marriages, starting these conversations before you go down the aisle can help you both be more comfortable with money talks. Be upfront about debt and work on a solution together. And create a budget together so you have a better handle on finances. Hopefully, by paving the way for healthy discussions about money, you won’t allow it to become a stressor in your marriage.
Mar 11, 2022 | Family Law, Marriage
With so many people working from home for such a long time, many relationships are feeling the strain. It can be hard to keep the romance alive when you are around your partner every waking moment. While many people have gone back to work in person, many companies are switching to more long-term work-from-home set-ups. Employees have mixed feelings about this. But one thing is for sure: it can change your relationship dynamic. To keep the romance alive, try to make a schedule and stick to it. In addition, get up and put on clothes every day. Make sure to carve out some time alone each day. And finally, also make sure to carve out some dedicated couples time as well. It’s easy to forget that a relationship takes effort, but putting in the work will make you both happier and your relationship stronger.
Relationship Tips When Working from Home: How to Keep the Romance Alive
Make a Schedule
When working from home, it’s important to remember to stick to a schedule. It can be easy to fall into a pattern of lounging around or waiting until a few minutes before your first zoom call to get out of bed. But your mental health will be better if you start the day with a similar routine. Try to get up around the same time each day, and try to keep a similar bedtime as well. Structure your day with work, breaks, and some time to get outside in the fresh air for a bit.
Get Dressed
Another important thing to remember when working from home is to get dressed each day. This might seem silly but it can really change your attitude. Getting up, showering, and putting on clothes can boost your confidence and help you approach the day with a more productive attitude. It can also keep the romance alive a bit more when you and your partner are clean and in something other than pajamas!
Make Time for Yourself
It’s also very important to make time for yourself when working from home. Especially if you and your partner are both working from home full time and even more so if you have children. Carve out some time each day to be alone and to do something that makes you feel happy. It could be as simple as walking the dog, a phone call with a friend, or a bath. You can ask your partner to get out of the house for a little while and offer to switch with them if you feel like you want to be alone. Take a short drive, go run an errand, or get out for a walk to give them privacy.
Make Time for Each Other
While it’s important to take time for yourself when working from home it’s also important to make time for your partner as well. It’s easy to let the romance fade a little when you see each other day in and day out. But talking briefly between Zoom meetings isn’t really the type of quality time that a relationship needs. Try to set aside some time each week where the two of you can connect on non-work things. Keep the phones off and sit down for a meal together or go and do an activity that makes you feel close.
Working from home can be a difficult transition for many couples. While you typically would spend the day apart and then reconnect at night after work, you’re suddenly together all the time. It’s easy to get irritated and let the romance fade. To keep your relationship healthy, try to maintain a schedule as if you are still going into the office. That includes getting up, showering, and getting dressed each day. You don’t need to wear your most uncomfortable suit, but at least change out of your pajamas. Make time for yourself each and every day. And finally, it’s important to also carve out time to be together as a couple. It can be a difficult transition, but there are also a lot of benefits to working at home. Just make sure that you and your partner are on the same page and putting in equal effort into your relationship.
