Can money put a strain on a marriage? The answer is yes. Marriage is a beautiful journey many people look forward to, but it can become ugly if the individuals are not well prepared for the journey.
It is best to keep your marriage strain-free, making the atmosphere conducive and peaceful. Money is a tool that plays a significant role in marriage. However, money can still put a strain on your marriage if approached and treated wrongly.
There are many ways money can put a strain on your marriage, which is what we will discuss in this article. We will look at how it can put a strain on your marriage and how you can prevent that from happening to your marriage.
How Money Can Put Strain on Your Marriage
Money issues can pressure your marriage in many ways, some of which are listed below.
High Amount of Debt
The moment people are married, they cease to live only for themselves, inheriting the burden of the other directly and indirectly, and debt is one of those burdens people carry into marriage.
When one of the parties comes into marriage with a high debt, it can put a strain on the marriage, especially if the partner cannot help them clear the debt quickly.
This situation can make the partner feel suffocated already in the marriage.
Intending couples should disclose their financial debts to each other before marriage to enable their partner to make informed decisions. They should have a clear plan for clearing any existing debt. This would make each party more comfortable and increase the trust between them.
Imbalance Spending
When the spending is not balanced, it can lead to issues. The expenditure is imbalanced when it is one-sided. For example, they both earn, but the bills are left to one person.
This can pressure the person paying the bills, which will cause misunderstanding and arguments.
Everyone should contribute financially to the family, regardless of their earnings. They may decide to open a family joint account where they contribute an agreed percentage of their earnings to finance the family.
Imbalance Financial Strength
Financial strength shouldn’t be a concern in marriage since the two are partners and function as a unit, but surprisingly, it is a concern in some marriages.
The person earning more may disregard or disrespect the other, making them feel less and unimportant in the marriage.
Marriage should be a selfless union where the individuals love and support each other regardless of who makes more or less money. The love and respect in the marriage shouldn’t be tied to the financial state or strength of the individuals.
Unhealthy Spending Habits
Reckless spending is a bad habit that is capable of wrecking anybody. When brought into marriage, it endangers both the person and the partner.
Marriage demands teamwork from the individuals to be successful, including sharing the same goals for the family and prioritizing the family’s well-being. Unhealthy spending habits can drastically affect your marriage, making it difficult or impossible to reach family goals because a large amount of the family earnings would be lost to unhelpful things.
Every party involved in a marriage should know the difference between personal and family needs and that family comes first.Â
Also Read: 10 Financial Management Tips for New Couples
How to Prevent Money from Putting Strain on Your Marriage
If couples don’t intentionally pay attention to money issues in their marriages, they may wake up one day to realize their union is already wrecked. Therefore, they must understand that money is an important tool that can make or mar their marriage. If they want to have a successful marriage and prevent money from putting strain on their marriage, they should take these things seriously.
Prioritize Money Talks in Your Marriage
The importance of money in our lives can’t be overemphasized; it is the same for marriage. The family’s basic tangible needs depend on money, such as food, shelter, and clothing.
This is something that shouldn’t neglect. By prioritizing money talks, you will always be updated on the financial needs and capacity of the family and be able to make informed and helpful decisions as early enough for the family, thereby eliminating tensions.
Be Transparent with Your Partner
Transparency matters in everything we do, showing that we value our reputation. When a couple is transparent with each other about money, it doesn’t only show love but trust and faith.
Being transparent means you disclose every vital financial information to your partner, such as how much you earn, your debts, etc. Being transparent with your partner will make them feel included in your life and more relaxed in the marriage. It also makes the bond stronger.
The Family Should Always Come First
Marriage is the coming together of two individuals to contribute to society and humanity by establishing the smallest unit of society, the family. This means that without family, there won’t be a society.
Though everyone wants a successful marriage and family that will positively contribute to their society, it isn’t a walk in the park but requires work and sacrifices. One of the sacrifices is prioritizing the family over individual needs and desires. Couples who understand this would be able to handle money issues easily.
There Should Be a Money Management Plan
It is wrong to waste money in your marriage; every expenditure should be intentional and accounted for. The family should have a financial philosophy that determines how money is earned, spent and managed.
Individuals should acquire financial literacy to better manage their resources based on reality.
Also Read: Should I Have a Family Joint Account?
Conclusion
A successful marriage is beautiful. You deserve to enjoy your marriage. In your pursuit of a successful marriage, you should normalize talking about money with your spouse. Be transparent with each other and discuss every important detail.
This approach will ensure that your marriage has a good financial standing. At the same time, this can help you to increase trust and strengthen the bond of the marriage.
Don’t keep secrets from your spouse, especially concerning your finances, because they deserve to know your capacity. Now you know how money can put a strain on your marriage and how to prevent that from happening.
