Home > Marriage > Couple Counsel > "We Don't Have Fun Anymore"
"We Don't Have Fun Anymore"
Also: "My Wife Is a Hypocrite"
by Gary Oliver | posted 9/12/2008
 2 of 2
The Bible has a lot to say about the role money plays in our lives and in how we handle our finances—our earning, saving, spending, and giving.
When was the last time you looked at your income, made a list of your debts, agreed on a budget, and carefully laid out your financial goals? When was the last time you both read a good book on dealing with money in marriage and talked about how you could implement some changes? If you're like most couples, it's been a long time … if ever.
Take stock of where you are. List your income and all your debts. Then talk about where you'd like to be in two, five, and ten years. Is saving for retirement a priority? If so, what percentage of your income needs to go there? What financial principles can you agree on? Core needs such as house payments and health care? Savings? Vacations? Tithing?
Many couples determine that any expenditure above a certain amount (such as $100) requires mutual agreement. When you know clearly what your budget is, then set up an allowance for each of you—that's separate money each of you can spend however you'd like. By implementing this simple step you and your mate can solve a lot of the problem.
Gary J. Oliver, Ph.D., co-author of Mad About Us: Moving from Anger to Intimacy with Your Mate (Bethany House), is executive director of The Center for Relationship Enrichment at John Brown University. www.liferelationships.com
Copyright © 2007 by the author or Christianity Today International/Marriage Partnership magazine. Click here for reprint information on Marriage Partnership.
We'd really like to know what you think about this article! |
Is this the kind of article you'd like to see more of?
Is there a topic you'd like us to cover?
Please send your suggestions to |
Marriage Partnership
Home | Archives | Contact Us
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
Try 3 Issues of Christianity Today Free!
|
 |
|
Subscribe to Christianity Today and get 3 free trial issues. No credit card required.
Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery. Offer valid in U.S. only.
If you decide you want to keep Christianity Today coming, honor your invoice for just $19.95 and receive nine more issues, a full year in all. If not, simply write "cancel" across the invoice and return it. The three trial issues are yours to keep, regardless.
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
| |
|
RSS Feed
