Stephanie’s Adventures in Singledom: Money, The Recession, and Relationships

Money, The Recession, and Relationships

While the recession is affecting everyone worldwide, for some reason it’s having more of a negative impact on the marriages.

In a Reuter’s recent poll, 30 percent of Americans attested to the recession adding stress or strain to their relationship or marriage—if not ruining it entirely.

Here are some helpful hints that will ease the tension you probably feel due to the recession, bad economy, and money:

This is the time to be open and honest, not only will it make it easier to tackle the hurdles in front of you, but it will also relieve the anxiety caused by keeping secrets to yourself.

When you feel stressed out it can be easy to fall into a cycle of withdrawing from your partner and then lashing out. But it is best to make sure you both are on the same page and working together, not separately, to try and solve all of your issues.

Rather than fight about it, (Arguing won’t reduce that monthly payment!) force each other to focus on a game plan. Taking steps to address the problem will remind you that you are, and always will be, a financial team.

Some Helpful Suggestions:

Get help. Talking to a financial planner together can help ease money tension, since it’s easier to address tough issues with an objective party. Or take a financial seminar together.

Be Humble. Never assume your way is the right way. Start by telling your partner what your own family’s attitudes and behaviors toward money were.

Set aside some money each month, even if it’s only a little, to pay for that vacation, or for that house you’ve dreamed of buying.

Now that you’ve assessed your finances honestly, it’s time to sit down and make a budget … together. Even if one of you pays the bills, it’s important you both take ownership in your financial plans.

Money issues are always the top reason for divorce, so don’t let the one thing that we need in order to live in this world, be the one thing that drives you apart. If each partner has a good understanding of what is actually involved it will help ease the tension, and could even bring a couple closer together instead of driving it apart.

** Thursday November 21st is the release of my dating/relationship book: “Hello Love, Where’s Cupid?” you can check my website www.stephaniedolce.com by 3pm Thursday for information on where you can purchase my book. I thank all my fans and supporters. **