By Dr. Taffy Wagner, CEPF, WedNet Specialist Blogger on Wedding Money,
Have you ever thought love and money go together? It is true money and marriage goes hand-in-hand. For example, as you are planning your wedding, you talk about the cost of florists, caterers, wedding dress, tuxedos and more. That is one aspect of money. A second aspect of money that you could look at is venue, size of the party and honeymoon. While addressing the first two areas there is yet a third area that needs to be looked at which can literally clinch the talk of money and marriage go hand-in-hand. I am talking about the "DAY AFTER" the wedding and the beginning of your marriage.
What happens after the honeymoon – you return to your new home with your spouse and you have bills. What does it take to pay the bills? MONEY! Have you discussed what each of your individual finances are that you are bringing into the marriage? I know money is that "taboo" subject. Do not let it stay a taboo subject because, in my opinion, there is nothing like financial secrets to tear a marriage down.
You don’t have to take my word. You can literally type in the search engines "engaged couples" and "money" or either "marriage" and "money". You will see story after story and article after article where couples are arguing about money, finances are impacting marriages and more. Or let’s make it even a little closer to home. How many couples do you know personally that are having some heated discussions because of finances? What does that tell you? First and foremost that money was not discussed nearly enough in marriage and now it is being discussed out of panic. Second, it is your responsibility and no one else’s to make sure you know the facts prior to walking down the aisle. Only you and your future spouse will truly know what is happening with your finances. Do not doubt for a second that money in marriage go hand-in-hand. When you and your spouse can openly discuss finances, the financial stress disappears. Don’t deny your marriage the opportunity to have financial happiness over financial stress.