Surprise, Your Credit Report Stinks

car dealership

Credit reports are a funny thing that even the most seasoned of financial experts have trouble understanding. With all of the “myths” and “misconceptions” about credit scores swirling around it can be difficult to decipher myth from the real truth. Recently my friend went to a car dealership in search of a new vehicle to replace their old vehicle. Unfortunately, they didn’t have the money saved up to purchase the vehicle (I advised paying cash makes the most financial senseJ), and were going to have to finance the vehicle. When applying for any loan or line of credit you are [...] Read more »

Money Problems Are All I Have

Sadness

The caller ID showed an incoming call from the wife of a couple with which my wife and I are close friends. I answered the phone with a quickly forgotten  humorous remark as the voice on the other end was shaky, asking for a favor.  Our friend and her teenage daughter were having a huge argument and they needed a third party to step in and mediate the situation. Our friends are working through marital issues, and have recently separated as they attempt to work through them. Their teenage daughter has taken it especially hard, and is very angry.   The [...] Read more »

Debt Free Checklist: Plan a Special Meeting

special meeting

Back in May I wrote a post called Your Debt Free Checklist, which listed steps you would take action on and complete to become debt free. I also mentioned in that post that I would break down each step on the list into a series of articles. This is the first post of that series and it covers setting up a special meeting with your spouse. Some have asked me why I haven’t left it open to anyone in a relationship. Why did I specifically mention “spouse”? That’s actually very simple. I know some people that aren’t married that combine [...] Read more »

If You Want to Fix Your Money, Fix Your Marriage

Cover-from-Marriage_Makeover

Are you constantly trying to figure out why you suck with money? For those that are single, part of the problem is accountability, but for those that aren't, the problem(s) can go much deeper than that. Sometimes the solution is right in front of you, or in this case, in your marriage. Money and Marriage are two words that sometimes seem like distant relatives, but the fact is, the connection between the two are actually hand in hand. If you look at some of the number one reasons people give for getting a divorce, money is usually at the top. I say, if you want to fix your money, fix your marriage...and vice-versa! If you fix your money, your marriage will get better, and if you fix your marriage, how you handle money (as a couple) will follow. It's a positive cycle that involves super communication and a lifetime of commitment! That's right, that commitment doesn't stop at the alter. Read more »

Marriage and Money – Valentine’s Day Edition

Happy Couple

A recent survey done by the University of Virginia called The Marriage Project found that 29 percent of couples reported that the economic downturn had put financial stress on their marriages. Read more »

Homemade Wedding Tips and Benefits for 2011

Getting Married

Are you planning a wedding in 2011? The first biggest test of a successful marriage is planning the wedding. Why? Because the costs involved from hall to caterer to flowers can sometimes be ridiculous and spark unnecessary drama between the parties. Furthermore, new couples don’t want to start off their lives together in debt, especially when the average wedding price tag is anywhere from $26,000 and up. That said, hopefully the lucky couple has enough time to do advanced research and find the most affordable answers to all their needs. Read more »

The FREE E-Book “LOVEveryday” Has Finally Arrived!!

I told you it was coming, and now it’s finally here! The LOVEveryday E-book is now available for download and distribution. (Click the link or view the sideshow below.) We hope you enjoy reading it, as much as we enjoyed writing it.  Sometimes the information you need to make certain changes in your own life are right in front of you. This could be one of those times! Don’t leave it to chance, as I am 100% convinced you will take away from this, something of value, you can apply to your own relationship or marriage. I sure plan on [...] Read more »

Coming Soon: LOVEveryday – Thoughts On Loving Amidst The Chaos Of Life FREE E-book

Hello everyone! I am SO VERY EXCITED to be announcing this project I have been involved in with some great people. (Listed below) This project was a collaborative effort to bring you a variety of insight and knowledge from a wide spectrum of writers on the subject of marriage and/or relationships. All and all, there was 27 of us that came together to make this happen. What an awesome idea and effort! One of my favorite best-selling authors was in on it too. Dan Miller, the author of 48 Days To The Work You Love and No More Mondays, and [...] Read more »

Relationships That Count

You Do It! If there is one thing that comes through clearly in the “Relating With Money” lesson it is that we all need support and encouragement.  We need each other.  If you are married, you need your spouse in order for this money thing to work.  If you are single you need someone to hold you accountable.  So many people that I know use the “you do it” philosophy when it comes to money.  I have too. When Alana and I first got married, she was the one who controlled the finances.  That was until we had a few [...] Read more »

Sometimes Money ISN’T The Cause Of “Money Fights”!

I thought that this picture was appropriate for my current situation. Recently my wife and I have realized that there are some things we disagree on. Disagreement is normal but a lack of communication can cause a disagreement to become a serious issue. The doors of communication must be open at all times, not just when you are in an argument. It is then that the one time reasonable objection becomes more of an attack move. It is very important to understand that if you disagree with your spouse about something, it is ALWAYS better to voice your opinion. Remember [...] Read more »