The Biggest Money Mistakes Couples Make

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All this article talks about is financial mistakes made for an inevitable break up, including:
-Don't talk about money (because when you break up it's going to suck)
-Don't combine your money (because most of us are idiots and we will break up)
-Don't share your debts (because your relationship is never going to last)
-Don't put one person in charge (because obviously they are the dumper)
So, after reading this article I think to myself:
Is the person writing this going through the SAME situation?
Is our lives that vapid and depressing that all we can think about it how to save our own butt because we're going to break up and you're on my SEARS credit card account?
Come on...where's the ACTUAL wisdom, unbiased questions, and interesting points (by doing research)?
Good article, but obviously someone is in a dark state....
;)

Robert of FL 4:18PM January 26, 2011

This advice, though not bad, seems to be based upon the premise, "All good things must end." The divorce rate is high, so this advice applies to many people.
I think that a better title might be, "Common mistakes of upon entering a relationship"

Darren of VA 12:42PM January 24, 2011

I think by the time a couple is ready for marriage vow's, they should know each other well enough to be able to handle their personal finances without undu difficulties.

Bud of WA 10:04AM January 10, 2011

Morgan, a relationship expert is the perfect person to quote in an article on money and finances. It's the number one cause of divorce and please re-read the paragraph. ONE PERSON SHOULD NOT BE IN CHARGE OF THE MONEY. Point. You should be discussing money and budget and working together as well as having your own spending money. I was in a relationship where even though I brought in good money and a very generous expense account, my husband controlled it, home improvements, amount to spend on cars, lecturing me if I ordered an appetizer but didn't finish my entree, critiquing my grocery store purchases.....everything. Even when we bought a car it was "I am never going to spend more than insert amount here on a car for us". I was to hand over my paycheck and ask no questions. I had to justify the parking costs for a craft show I wanted to attend. That is what she is talking about. So yes, a relationship expert is crucial in discussing finances for couples. I take it you either are not part of a "couple" or were the controller in a past relationships.

L Kash of PA 9:00AM December 19, 2010

Don't let the neighborhood, your friends or television determine what you think you need to buy. Do you really need a 4 bedroom house with 10 foot ceilings? Can you move closer to work so you have less commuting time/costs? Do you really need to buy your kid(s) the newest and best of everything? Probably the most burdensome and unnecessary costs are from owning an unnecessarily big and expensive house and buying your kids every gadget/outfit/toy available.
Also, during the December holidays, get the whole extended family to agree to a "grab bag" style of gift giving. Each adult buys a gift for one other adult family member. Children only get one gift from mom and dad and maybe some very modest gifts from grandparents, etc.

Joe of IL 5:41PM December 02, 2010

Bonnie Eaker Weil, grrrrreeeaaat marriage advice. I know, don't talk with your spouse about the money you're spending!! That always shows the other person you care. "Do whatever you want to when you want to." Uhhh, that's how people end up divorced. I thought mistake number one in this article was NOT talking about where the money is going-now the last thing they tell me is DON'T talk about it? Expenses big and small both add up.
Next time, PLEASE quote a better source than a "relationship therapist."

Morgan Stephens of TX 11:46PM December 01, 2010

Only keep 1 (one) credit card to pay for gas and electricty do not go to shop with a credit card never mind about the discount if it is a need you buy it when the bill comes you should pay off the full amount which would be within your reach add interest in credit cards is more than the discount you would receive just a little bit of advice pay in full when the bill is due.

Gwynneth Butterfield 1:23PM November 30, 2010

First and foremost get rid of the monthly bills for the car/motorcycle and buy a decent used car. Lower the insurance to liability with the highest deductible, eliminate fast food and eating out. Hit up friends and family for clothes for children as well. The house keeper costs how much? Make husband help you clean to eliminate the hired help. Ask to telecommute if possible...how about getting a better paying job for either of you? Or a second job perhaps?

me of MN 4:14PM November 23, 2010

As a money coach, I hear this quite often. You are not alone! It is not that your earnings are insufficient for your needs, it's that if you spend more than you make, you can NEVER earn enough.
We all have cut back in the past couple of years, but until one knows exactly where every dollar goes every month, one can't get the big picture. There is only one skill all the financial gurus agree upon as having the biggest impact on making a difference: Track your expenses for a month. It's an eye-opener. Keep every receipt and carry a small notebook to note any purchase you don't have a receipt for. At the end of the month, tally up all your expenses and consider how you could reallocate.
Good luck!

Jude Gilford of AZ 2:49PM November 22, 2010

There are always “What If's”. As I look back over my life and through three marriages, two with the same spouse, make me wonder if I had acted on the above, if I would have been better off. The answer is YES. However, at the time, we all think that it is going to last forever. Young and inexperienced, we all make mistakes and our hind sight is always 20/20.
Money is one of the biggest things that can give a couple trouble within their relationship. And when I say “money”, that means the lack-of. Throughout the course of a marriage there will be times that a couple makes unwise decisions and gets themselves into a tight. But through those time, we all become more wiser than ever. My advice is, (1) both know your budget, (2) Always set aside money first to pay your bills, (3) Only splurge when you have money to do so, (4) Pay off you credit cards every month, if you can’t don’t buy it, (4) If you borrow money insure your able to pay the notes without it taking every penny you make, (5) live within your means.
Learning the hard way for any of the 5 items above puts struggles on marriages. However, it’s all about love and the three things that will keep it together is trusting in God, having trust in your sole-mate and finally but not least is always keep in mind your sole-mate’s needs and wants to make them happy, and that does not mean monetary things. Be vocal with each other and make it clear what you like and dislike, but in the right way.

Tommy of TN 10:43AM November 20, 2010