Forbes, May 18th, 2022

What are some of the obstacles couples face when trying to save money?

The biggest obstacle most couples face when trying to save money is spending more than they are earning. Living paycheck to paycheck is a reality for most Americans. Even for couples combining their income together, that challenging reality still persists.

How can couples overcome these obstacles?

Breaking the paycheck to paycheck cycle can be very difficult. It takes time and focus. But sometimes, the hard things and the right things are one and the same.

Building a budget to understand better where your money is going is a great place to start. It’s amazing how much clarity you can have over your financial situation by simply viewing your income and expense. I have used free tools like, Personal Capital to help me with this.

After taking a hard look at the numbers, look for ways to decrease your expenses in areas that don’t affect your joy. I’m talking about getting rid of things you don’t use and negotiating recurring bills.

Then look at the income side of things. Ask yourself how you can make more money during this season of your life to create more wiggle room. Perhaps a period of time of extra financial focus could help you eliminate debt from your life. Once that happens, life becomes a whole lot easier.

What to do if you and your spouse speak a different money language ( one is a spender and the other is a saver)

If you and your spouse have very different views on money, the quickest way to marital peace is with empathy.

There is a reason your spouse spends the way they do. Just because you don’t think it’s the right way doesn’t mean your way is any better.

Take the time to understand why your spouse is motivated to spend or save the way they do. With that understanding, you might gain some empathy for their situation.

In the same sense, ask your partner to take the time to understand why you have your financial habits as well. And discuss why they matter to you. Through conversations and time, you’ll learn to find compromises that work best for each other.

What can families do right now to save money with inflation being so high?

Take a hard look at your budget and decide if you can modify your spending habits during this challenging season.

Removing subscriptions or memberships you’re not using from your life, negotiating recurring bills (internet, cable, insurance), and shopping at lower-cost grocery stores can be great places to start.

Find ways to boost your income. A quick way to get $100 or even $1,000 fast is to walk through your entire house and decide what you can sell online. Your home may be filled with things you don’t use, and a weekend of cleaning could net you some fast cash.

By Jaime Catmull, Contributor

© 2022 Forbes Media LLC. All Rights Reserved

This Forbes article was legally licensed through AdvisorStream.

 

Disclaimer: The information in this communication or any information within the Asset Strategy Advisors, LLC domain, and or any attachments to any AdvisorStream communication is strictly confidential and intended solely for the attention and use of the named recipient(s). If you are not the intended recipient, or person responsible for delivering this e-mail to the intended recipient, please immediately notify AdvisorStream at privacyofficer@advisorstream.com and destroy all copies of this e-mail. Any distribution, use or copying of this e-mail or the information it contains by other than an intended recipient is unauthorized. This information must not be disclosed to any person without the permission of AdvisorStream LTD. Please be aware that internet communications are subject to the risk of data corruption and other transmission errors. For information of extraordinary sensitivity, we recommend that our clients use an encrypted method when they communicate with us.

Share This Post With A Friend Or Family Memeber!



























NOTICE

You are now leaving DST1031HQ and entering the marketplace site, PrivateCapitalHQ. By proceeding, you understand you are subject to the terms and conditions of PrivateCapitalHQ.com found in the Disclosure.