Wouldn’t everyone like to have a good relationship with your spouse?  Wouldn’t you agree that everything seems to run a little smoother when you’re getting along well with your spouse?  Most people would agree with that.  This brings me to an important question.  Why don’t we work harder to maintain a good relationship with our spouse?  I don’t know the answer.  Perhaps we fail to see the value?  Maybe we’re too proud?  Maybe we don’t really know how?  Maybe we believe the daily effort isn’t worth it?  Regardless, take a look at the following financial reasons we should work hard to maintain a great relationship with our spouse.  If you need another incentive to work harder at your marriage – maybe this is the one?

When you and you’re spouse are getting along well, you “like” each other more, you’re sexually fulfilled, you feel better about yourself, you feel better about your decisions, you and your spouse are working well together, decision making is better, you have more confidence, you’re a better functioning person.  However, when you and your spouse are not getting along well - the opposite is true. 

From a financial perspective, ponder these effects of a negative marital relationship:

·         Often people turn to frivolous spending in an attempt to fill that “empty spot”.

·         It’s much more difficult to hold a good job when things are tough at home.

·         Without your support, your spouse may find it difficult to advance in his / her career.

·         Retirement planning becomes less important as you wonder what the future holds.

·         Often, you just “don’t care” (financially) about things as much when the relationship isn’t working.

·         People tend to blame “financial stress” on the spouse.

·         People tend to be more selfish (financially) when things aren’t going well with his / her spouse.

Now, from that same financial perspective, consider the financial effects of a good relationship with your spouse:

·         Support from your spouse can give you the necessary confidence to advance in your career.

·         When you feel better about your spouse – you feel better about yourself – and you’re much more productive at work and home.  Productivity = money.

·         You care more about the financial future of you and you’re spouse – you make wiser financial decisions.

·         People tend to spend money less frivolously – there’s no need to fill a hole that’s not there.

·         Retirement becomes more important as you want you and your spouse to have a joyful retirement together.

·         Working well together, the family financial picture becomes easier to manage.

·         Saving money becomes easier when you’re in a good marriage.

Obviously, we’ve only listed a few of the possible financial effects of a positive or negative relationship with your spouse.  If you need additional incentives to work harder for a better marriage – remember the financial incentives.  After all, who doesn’t want more money in the bank account?

E Lawrence Welch