It’s no surprise that financial issues cause major conflicts for couples. However, finances causes stress, anxiety and depression for couples and singles alike.
So, get serious about your finances now so there is less to stress about later. Here are a few things to keep in mind when thinking about your finances.
“I don’t have to worry. My significant other takes care of our finances.”
Your relationship is a partnership and both of you should be aware of where your money is going. Each month, the two of you should sit down and look at your finances and separate your purchases out into categories: bills, groceries, entertainment, household expenses (to name a few).
If one of you is spending too much money at the drive-thru, brainstorm ideas on how to break that habit. Perhaps you both get up a few minutes early to pack your lunches together. Not only will you have more money to spend elsewhere or to save, you might see a healthier lifestyle unfold.
Relying too much on your bank.
It’s easy to swipe your debit or credit card. For a month, try spending only cash. That way, you can literally see where you are spending your money. Set a budget, withdraw your cash for the week, and stick to it. What you have is what you get. You will quickly learn to think about every purchase you make and will be less prone to impulse buying.
Instead of relying on your bank to show your withdrawals, do it by hand. It’s another good way to see where you are spending your money.
Evaluate often.
When you go over your finances, see what areas you’ve done well in for the month and where you need more work. Step back and evaluate yourself: is what you’re doing helping you achieve your financial goals? Make sure you are taking concrete steps toward measurable results and not going about your finances blindly.
Minimum monthly payments are a trap.
Making the minimum monthly payment will only extend the time required for you to get out of debt. You will also be increasing the amount of interest you will eventually have to pay. Know your interest rate and try to make a larger payment than the minimum amount each month.
Save, save, save.
Get in the habit of saving a bit of each of your paychecks, putting it in a savings account. If you have children, get them in the habit of saving, whether it be money from household chores, their part-time jobs, or babysitting. Teaching your children about money will help them exponentially later on in life.
If you’re finances are causing you to stress and you’d like to talk with someone about it, consider setting up an appointment with Reka to talk through your stress. You can contact her by phone at 402-881-8125, by email at reka@omaha-counseling.com, or via Twitter or Facebook.
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photo credit: Penny Pinching via photopin (license)
