Speed Dating Events

Though most of our money problems stem from some other issue, sometimes when we fight about money, we’re really fighting about money. For instance, let’s say you’re flat broke, or in debt. You don’t know how you got yourself into this situation. So you blame your partner. And she blames you. You’re fighting about money. You can avoid such a pitfall by following this three-step process once a year.

Follow your money trail. You’ll never solve anything until you know where the money is really going. Keeping track of your expenditures for three months. Computer programs such as Quicken can help you do so. So can two other high-tech pieces of equipment—a notebook ledger and a calculator, courtesy of your local office supply store.

Plan together. Once you know where the money is going, you need a budget. Figure out generally how much money you need to spend on daily living (electricity, rent, food) and how much you want to save or pay down debt. The key to making a budget work is working it out together.

Make some goals. Budgets are easy to write, harder to follow. You can motivate yourself by writing down all the takes-more-than-one-paycheckto-buy material possessions you think you want in this lifetime. Have her do the same. Just do it separately. Then trade lists and look for similar desires. Talk and compromise to come up with some common goals. Now prioritize them. Once you’ve whittled your list down to some reasonable dream purchases, do your homework. Figure out how much money you need. Now look at how much money is coming in versus what’s going out. Then figure out what sacrifices you’ll have to make to turn your dreams into reality. Putting money in the bank instead of running the air conditioner seems more reasonable when you know you’ll eventually use the savings to buy something you’ve always dreamed of.

Possibly related posts: (automatically generated)
How to Avoid Money Blame

• Keep Purse Close to the Vest, Girls night out tips
• Happiness forever, Famous Quote of Wedding Wits
• Party Drinking, If You Need to Powder Your Nose, Bring Your Drink
• Don't Marry to This Person
• Wedding Nerves Control
• Relationship Rule No 1, Fight Fairly continued
• Girls attention: when your lover in funk, you’d better leave him alone
• Avoid uncomfortable sexual Dating setting
• Dealing with 'dating envy'
• Marriage Has It