Money and Marriage

You’ve probably heard that money problems are the leading cause of divorce in America, and it’s really sad that money has the power to drive married couples apart. If you and your spouse are dealing with bad credit and paying off credit cards, things may get a bit heated when the topic arises. If you can’t talk about debt without starting an argument, you can use the tips in this article to have a constructive discussion and begin to work your way toward a debt-free marriage.

Any good discussion should begin with an honest assessment of your debt situation. The conversation is intended to engender trust in each other- hiding or ignoring things is probably what got you into this situation to begin with. It’s time to come clean- and don’t be surprised if your partner feels cheated and angry. Financial infidelity is just as damaging to trust as a physical affair, and both can take years to recover from.

You should look at your statements to see how much you can reasonably afford to pay every month. Trim any extra expenses so that you can afford to put more toward your bills, aiming to make at least double the minimum payment. If you pay less than that, interest rates and finance charges will erode most of the payment. The idea is to make a payment plan that both of you can live with. A lot of couples like to start with the smallest debt and pay it off first, because the motivation factor from paying off that first credit card is great. Others like to start at the top and work their way down.

You should also compare your spending habits. Do you like to shop just for the fun of it, while your partner saves for a rainy day? Spending habits are often rooted in childhood, and when one partner is more thrifty than the other it can cause resentment issues.

Now that you’ve discussed your debt and made a plan to pay it, you can get the credit card debt advocacy you need. You’ll feel as if a weight has been lifted off of your shoulders, and your relationship will run more smoothly.