|
Money Matters In Marriage
Money matters are important in marriage. The woman normally has an expectation that her husband will provide for the family.
Both the husband and wife have expectations that their spouse will not overspend. Many arguments result from one spouse thinking the other is spending too much.
In today's job market many times the husband and wife feel that the wife should work in order to reach the level of spending they desire in the family. The trouble is that while the wife works, she still ends up having to do the cooking and cleaning and washing and other chores around the house. This puts extra stress on her, and causes frustration when her husband does not put in equal time. This can lead to problems in other areas of the marriage, such as in the bedroom.
What can a married couple do, to reduce the financial stress of today's world? One solution is for the couple to lower their expectations of how much is enough. This translates into spending less.
God does not want us to love the world and the things of the world. God warns against covetousness and says that it is a form of idolatry.
How do you know if you love the things of the world too much? One way is if you are not happy without them. Another way, is if you have to go into debt to get them.
How can you live within your means? The best way is to sit down with your spouse and write down how much money you make. Then write down all the places where the money needs to go. Plan out your expenditures for a year, and compare them to the amount of money you will make in a year. This will give you a good idea of whether you make enough money to support your spending habits. This is called a budget.
If after working on your budget, you discover you don't make enough money from just the husband's income, then go back and try to cut back in areas.
Pool your money earned into one account for the family. Don't keep separate accounts, this promotes jealously and selfishness. All the money made by the husband and wife should go into one account and then should be taken out of the account according to an agreed budget.
A happy marriage does not need extravagant spending habits. Walks in the park, serving God together as a couple, taking missions trips together, spending time working in the yard together, camping at the closest state or local park, and a host of other inexpensive activities can be very romantic and fulfilling times.
Decide to live with less, and enjoy life together more. Spend more time with God, and less time shopping and dreaming about material possessions.
Buy used cars instead of new cars, and learn to work together as a couple making minor repairs and maintenance tasks on your car.
Find ways to serve God together as a couple, such as helping out at the local homeless mission, or teaching a Sunday School class together, and less time planning expensive vacations and home upgrades and moves to bigger homes.
Pray and ask God to help you with your finances. Don't let money problems influence your emotions in the bedroom. If you find yourself having this problem, try listening to some of the MarraigeRomance.com love stories and poems to help you forget about your financial problems and focus on your being in love with your spouse.
|
|