Financial Stress Can Alter A Marriage

The most commonly cited reason for divorce is financial problems. All marriages are burdened by financial worry. Divorce is only a permanent solution to a temporary problem, and should not be considered. As you and your spouse battle through the bills and debts TOGETHER, I believe that is possible to strengthen the marriage bond.

One of the top causes for filing bankruptcy is divorce. Being too far in debt can damage a marriage, but a divorce will not have a positive impact on your finances, either. Divorce certainly won't solve money problems, given that many couples don't budget or even discuss money while married. Although a divorce is costly, the cost of losing the spouse you loved before the debt set in, is too high of a price to pay. Think about the vow that stated, "for richer or poorer" when you think about the reason for your divorce.

The most effective way to prevent a divorce is to seek out the problem, declare a truce with your spouse, and take on the problem together. There's no point in trying to assign blame; it's much more vital to plan a way out of debt. Be the master of the situation by admitting the debt, and resolve to take charge of the dilemma at hand. Work out a budget that you can both live with. Stay with your budget once you have one so that you can start making those dollars go farther and track your spending. You will be able to budget your income and ensure that it goes to needed expenses while also identifying other areas that can either be reduced or eliminated.

Open a savings account. To make it a bit tougher to withdraw money, I usually have my clients set up the savings account with a bank on the other side of town. A good plan is to place an automatic payment into a savings account from your paychecks. Begin by adding small amounts at first, but continue to add as much as you can. Unexpected bills and emergencies do occur, so be prepared for paying them out of your savings.

God has blessed us with possessions and money, but He intends for us to live within the means we've been given and not go deeply into debt. God knows what we can manage. If we prove ourselves to be both trustworthy and smart with His possessions, he may choose to give us more. However, if we are careless with our belongings, the Lord will take them away.

When you are faced with money woes, Do Not Panic! Refrain from placing blame on your spouse or imagining that divorce is the answer. Sit down and write it all down on a piece of paper. Calmly evaluate your situation to begin to find out what must be accomplished. Determine your course of action by visualizing your situation. Talk to creditors about their hardship programs. A part time job can help to bring in extra money to get you through the rough times. Get in touch with a credit counselor and see if they can help you out in any way. Working together, it's possible to see (and reach) a light at the end of the tunnel. Being separated will cost you a lot more than money, and it will make it harder to see the light.

Joe Larson is one of the certified Christian credit counselors for Family Life Credit Services, a nationwide Christian credit counseling agency since 1986. The goal of FLCS is to strengthen and encourage families and individuals through Christian faith-based financial counseling. They offer financial educational materials free of charge as well as the opportunity to work with a certified counselor in your area of need.