What a fun and exciting time to be planning a wedding. One thing my mom always told me how you go into something is how you will come out of it. Have you ever thought about that? Let me give you some examples:
(1) How did you approach going to college if you attended college?
(2) What was your attitude when you went to buy your first car (even if mom or dad paid for it)?
(3) Remember when you planned took that vacation that you had worked so hard for, what did you do to prepare and ensure you could take that vacation?
So I digress, I am having some fun this morning. Let's get back to the topic of today….drum roll please…. Money Tug of War. As you preparing for your wedding, are you in a money tug of war? You want to spend over here while your fiance wants to save there? Or is it more of its my money and I'll spend it any way I want.
Hint: How you handle money talks and make decisions now during your engagement as you plan the wedding actually sets the tone for money talks throughout your marriage. YES YOUR MARRIAGE!! Remember, the wedding is one day and the marriage can be "Happily ever after" if you have a PLAN!!
You have a plan for your wedding: who the caterers will be, the type of flowers you want, the venue even down to the music played at the reception. Below are 5 quick steps to alleviate the money tug of war and have some harmony as you prepare for your marriage.
Tug of War
1. You are preparing to become one. Begin talking now about the goals each of you have for the wedding. What do you want to see happen with the money? How much do you want to spend as a couple? How much would you like to save?
2. Be honest and have one night where you share here is one bill I am bringing to the marriage and here's how I expect to pay it off. A husband or wife is not a financial plan. The bills you created prior to your marriage belong to you and are your responsibility to pay off!! HAVE a Plan! I cannot stress that enough.
3. One of the things I love to do with my husband of 17 years, is to sit and dream. We sit and talk about financial goals and several things we'd like to accomplish each year financially. We started out talking money during our engagement. (Remember, start the way you want to finish). Oh yea, we aired that dirty laundry so it would NOT HINDER OUR HAPPINESS. You got to let money know whose the boss!! Make it work for you and not against you.
4. Go beyond dreaming and take steps to make those dreams happen. Set financial goals. Save money to achieve those dreams. Cut out bad spending habits. Work extra hours if you need to. Evaluate where you are at three months, six months, nine months and a year. Get into the HABIT of checking up with each other and seeing what progress has been made, if there are adjustments that need to be made and keep it moving.
5. You can set the tone from this day forward and have financial harmony instead of the money tug of war. Write in and share with us what you will do!
Image: freedigitalphotos.net
