Relationship Corner by Dr. Gary Chapman - Money and Marriage part 2 of 2

Whose Money?
When you get married, it is no longer, “your money” and “my money,” but rather “our money.” Likewise, it is no longer “my debts” and “your debts,” but rather “our debts.” When you accept each other as a partner, you accept each other’s liabilities as well as each other’s assets.

A full disclosure of assets and liabilities should be made before marriage. It's not wrong to enter marriage with debts, but you ought to know what those debts are and agree on a plan for repayment.

Marriage is two becoming one. Applied to finances, this means that all our resources belong to both of us. One of us may be responsible for paying the bills and balancing the check book, but this should never be used as an excuse for hiding financial matters. Full and open discussions
should precede any financial decision. Marriage is enhanced by agreement in financial matters.

Saving and Investing
“A prudent man foresees the difficulties ahead and prepares for them; the simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences” (Proverbs 22:3). The wise couple plans for difficult times. Financially, this involves saving and investing. Many Christian financial advisors suggest that 10 percent be allotted to savings and investments. The couple who regularly saves a percentage of their income will have not only the reserve funds they need for emergencies, but also the satisfaction that comes from being good stewards.

Buy Now, Pay...Now
The media screams, “buy now, pay later.” What you don't hear is that if you “buy now,” you will pay much more later due to interest rates on credit card debt. The credit card encourages impulse buying, and most of us have more impulses than we can afford to follow.” Why not agree that “What we cannot afford, we will not purchase”? Most of us can live with less, and perhaps live more happily!

The scriptures teach that “Life does not consist in the abundance of the things that we
possess.” Life finds its greatest meaning in relationships. Material things bring momentary pleasure, while relationships last for a lifetime.

Excerpt taken from Dr. Gary Chapman on the Marriage You've Always Wanted. To find out more about Gary Chapman's resources, visit www.fivelovelanguages.com.