| Let's face it, monetary matters play an influential role | | | | each partner the clarity and ability to utilize the full |
| in our romantic relationships, whether you find | | | | potential of your thinking faculties towards resolving |
| yourself married or in another serious relationship. | | | | your financial issues. |
| While love is priceless, the role finances play in our | | | | So what does a couple willing to preserve their |
| relationships is a fundamental of our cultural-specific | | | | relationship do to separate their financial woes from |
| and universal beliefs and values. Some of these roles | | | | their relationship? |
| include but are not limited to wedding expenses, rent | | | | Spend more time together doing free or less |
| or montage, utility bills, car loans, and the list goes on. | | | | expensive activities. |
| Yet despite the important part money plays in our | | | | Cook more meals together and eat at home, instead |
| relationships, it still remains a ridiculous reason for a | | | | of eating out. |
| couple to split. Unfortunately this phenomenon takes | | | | Can't afford to see that play? Or movie? Go for a |
| place too often. It is not unusual to hear about a | | | | walk in the park together, or visit the zoo or a |
| couple putting off marriage because they presently | | | | museum. |
| cannot afford a wedding, or God forbid a home. | | | | Cable company hiking fees? A perfect opportunity to |
| While our cultural beliefs and values are important, | | | | turn off the TV and spend a quiet evening with each |
| you must be sure that you are not sliding down the | | | | other in the living room. You can also play some |
| slippery slope of putting a price tag on your | | | | games together. |
| relationship. Think about it this way: What would you | | | | You get the picture? The key for creating such a |
| think of a parent who terminated her relationship | | | | successful separation of finance and romance is for |
| with her child because of financial difficulty? (This is | | | | each partner to be willing to make personal sacrifices, |
| not an attack on parents who give their children up | | | | and as much as possible to make such sacrifices |
| for adoption.) | | | | together. People are always surprised at how much |
| So if you and the love of your life have been | | | | being caught up in expensive activities keeps them |
| experiencing financial difficulties, it only makes sense | | | | emotionally disconnected from their spouse, better |
| to separate your financial woes from your | | | | half, or partner. |
| relationship. Can this be done? The answer is yes. As | | | | As it goes in life, there is a difference between |
| a matter of fact, being able to make and sustain | | | | knowing what to do and knowing how. If you find |
| such a separation will go a long way in helping you | | | | yourself struggling to change your behaviors for the |
| both overcome your financial woes. Why? Simply put, | | | | better, seeking the services of a professional in the |
| because you will not be fighting and pushing each | | | | field of mental health should be considered a wise |
| others' anger buttons. Not being angry will afford | | | | investment. |