Strengthening Your Marriage: Overcoming Financial Challenges Together

Managing finances is a common challenge in many marriages. It can lead to conflicts and even divorce if not handled properly. However, with the right strategies, couples can overcome these challenges and build a stronger relationship. Here are some key insights and practical solutions to help you manage your finances effectively as a couple.

Understanding the Importance of Communication

• Listen Actively: It's crucial to understand each other's spending habits and financial priorities. Listening to your partner's perspective can help in finding common ground.

• Discuss Needs vs. Wants: Differentiate between essential expenses and discretionary spending. This helps in prioritizing financial decisions.

Creating a Budget Together

• Agree on a Budget: Establish a budget that reflects both partners' financial goals and responsibilities. This ensures transparency and reduces misunderstandings.

• Spe...

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In today's fast-paced world, where relationships can sometimes be navigated more by convenience than commitment, it's essential to go back to the basics. The foundations of a strong marriage aren't built on grand gestures but on meaningful conversations and shared values. Here are 8 essential conversations that can help pave the way for a thriving marriage:

1. The Importance of Pre-Marital Conversations: Before the wedding bells ring, it's crucial for couples to sit down and discuss their future aspirations, values, and visions for life together. These early conversations set the stage for a relationship aligned in goals and expectations, making it easier to face life's challenges together.

2. Influence of Childhood and Upbringing: Our past significantly shapes our worldview, including our perceptions of family and priorities in life. Understanding each other's background and upbringing fosters empathy and support, crucial for navigating marital life.

3. Dealing wit...

Red, White & Blue 1976

I remember that last day of 9th grade at Buena Part High school in California. My dad's work, JC Penny's was moving us to Georgia. There were lots of tears, I missed the bus, and I thought I would die. My family spent 6 weeks in a motel room, before we found a home in Georgia, and I didn’t know a single person. We made the best of it, swimming as much as we could in the hotel pool.

The new school year soon came and still I knew not one person. It was scary, but as I got off the school bus, a girl with a funny accent began to enthusiastically chatter, “I’m new, are you new, my name’s Debbie”. Debbie was from Jersey, and her chatter gave me comfort, I had a new friend, and we met for lunch. Maybe I would make it in this new place.

At my old school I was involved in a Modern Dance Group of 50 girls. In Georgia, I joined the chorus, where I quickly became involved with a whole new set of friends and activities of which I quickly began to enjoy.

The next year, I m...

Thinking for yourself can be a new skill!  We get so used to following the crowd or someone else telling us what we should do, that we relax the ole Brain and just count on others.  This blog is taken from John Maxwell's Book.  "Thinking for a Change" and focuses on being Realistic.

A confused mind does........Nothing!  How can you learn to focus and get more done daily?  You can do it if you will put in the effort.

Students often go to school for the wrong career! 

Sometimes it's something a parent wants them to do or they literally have dreamed of it for years only to find out that it is not their cup of tea.  Then, they are in the middle of it.

Career Insights is a behavior & communication assessment that enlightens you on the careers you'd be good at and would most likely enjoy.  (As long as you're working with good people of course.)  

Let's look at the ways you can create more possibilities, opportunities, Vision. It begins with exploring how you think.

Awareness is 90%.  What Thought changes do you need to make.  What will changing your thinking do you today and tomorrow?

"Everyone thinks of Changing the World.....but no one thinks of changing themselves"  Leo Tolstoy

Do you think for yourself or follow the attitudes of others?  What does thinking for yourself look like?  What does changed thinking looks like.

Second week of thinking for a change ........ What kind of thinking do you have and what can you do about it?  Ok......lead by a nose ring was a little weird.........takes about 15 seconds to get going.