By: Petrina Turner

With nearly half of all American marriages ending in divorce, finances hover at the top of the list as a major cause of separation.

Whether feuding about not having enough money or being stressed over spending too much money, relationships are in constant stress and strain from the everyday pressures of marriage and its financial affects.

Although finances within a marriage can be taxing, it does not have to lead to its demise.

With these three simple steps, you and your spouse can reach one accord and navigate the financial minefield as one.

Plan your financial goals

The first step toward success is to plan your annual (and monthly budgets) together each year. Goal setting is a habit every person should practice annually.

Especially important is the togetherness of that planning.

Couples should plan not only how but where and on what their funds will be invested each year. Before the New Year begins, sit down with your spouse and determine your vision for your finances. Create specific goals for the year that will aid in fulfilling that vision.

 Review your monthly budgets together

Once you develop the overall picture, you should review and revise accordingly. In many relationships, there is only one spouse who manages the money.

Although one is well-suited to manage the money, the other spouse still should be involved in making decisions and knowing where and how the money is being spent.

 Ensure budgets incorporate “quality funds”

Let’s be honest. We are all extremely busy and one of the first things that is often neglected is our spouse.

To ensure we keep our relationship at the forefront of our marriage, set aside quality funds to be used for spending quality time together. Whether it is budgeting for weekly lunch dates, date nights or weekend getaways, ensure “quality funds” are being spent to enhance the relationship.

Bottom Line: Yes, finances affect nearly every aspect of all marriages but it does not have to be the reason to end our marriages. If we work together towards a common fiscal goal, establish effective communication, and ensure our marriage is first and foremost, we can ensure financial unity and be on one accord with our spouse.

Create your own user feedback survey

Petrina Turner is a wife, a mom, a financial stewardship coach, and a writer who loves to blog about her family’s journey to becoming financially free. She and her husband’s goal is to leave something other than bills to their young boys—they are planning to leave a financial legacy while helping other families to do the same.  Her blogs can be found at www.petrinaturner.com and at www.facebook.com/Petrinaturnerpage.